A month of October - October 27th and 28th - Summer Again
Tuesday, 28 October 2014 10:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
byslantedlightOr at least a jolly warm autumn. We were back up to about 19C today, and I was happily swanning around without any sleeves. It also meant that since I didn't have a work deadline until tomorrow I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and go out jaunting to buy a tuner for my fiddle, so I found myself heading off into blue-sky-ed autumn...
...stopping at traffic lights that no one, apparently, should risk stopping at...
...and eventually finding my way via a quick bout of nostalgia to Hestercombe Gardens, where I used to take the wee ones when I nannied in those there parts. I distinctly remember taking all three children one day in autumn too, and today the leaves were also yellowing on the trees.
It was lovely - had some lunch (squash, feta and courgette bruschetta, which oddly came with a sort of sauce but was delicious, and pink grapefruit with mint fizz to drink - you can tell I'm a bit hooked on mint in icy drinks right now too, cos I'd normally not touch grapefruit with a bargepole (too tart) - but it was lovely and refreshing and I'd like some more now please... and actually I'd already spotted that my local farm shop sells this particular brand, so... *g*). Went off on a walk around the lake. Shouted at some kids. Took some photos... what? The kids were throwing stones at the ducks and swan in the lake, and then one of them took up a huge stick - a branch really - and was bashing at them in the water with it. One of the little buggers actually stood on the edge of the lake near me and began a running commentary on how close his stones were getting. Well it's been years since I've had to tell kids off for something, but I couldn't believe they thought it was okay to be so cruel to animals! So I rounded all four up, gave them a very cross explanation of why they should stop it right now, fended off some lip from one of them - the "friend" - and was perfectly happy to explain to the parents who were sitting chatting just a bit too far away on a bench where they could just about see the kids but not really see what they were doing (I say, giving them the benefit of all my doubts) what they'd been up to. They made the right noises, but they didn't seem particularly bothered, which possibly explains a few things - though to be fair the kids (3 of them, anyway!) were polite and respectful whilst I was being cross with them, which is hopefully a better sign. But honestly...
Anyway - luckily it was all very lovely to wander around, and I didn't bump into them again, so phew. *g* And then I was completely distracted, because oddly enough, I swear I bumped into someone I knew years ago when I was in Taunton - she seemed sooo familiar, and then I saw her husband, and he did too, and... I'm sure I knew them once upon a time. It was virtually pre-internet though, and before I went back to Alaska for the second time, and we met through the kids (hers and the ones I was nannying), so lost touch as soon as I left. For the life of me I couldn't remember her name though - his was right there, perhaps because it was unusual, and if she hadn't been busy chatting to the friend they were with the whole time I might have said "Erm... do I know you...?" but as it was I left without being sure. The other thing was that even though it was half-term there were no kiddies with them, so maybe... no, I'99.9% sure it was someone I once knew! Such a strange thing, though... Have you ever had that happen? What did you do? I mean, I'd been to this woman's place numerous times, there'd been coffee dates with the kids, we'd even gone out together without kids, to various exhibitions. Oddly enough, I remember her loo, because there was a big poster in there of the position you were supposed to sit in when you were going to the loo! Funny the things that stick with you... *g* But could I remember her name...? *headdesk*
And if you got through that rambling, I'm sure you deserve some photos...
There was an exhibition - Oceans by Tania Kovats.
And a rather nice painting on tiles, which worked well with the pillars and ballustrade and all...
Views outside,and view inside...
And guess who this mounting block made me think of!
Before heading off, I might have peered in at the second hand bookshop that all old houses seem to have these days (yeay! *g*) and I found not one but two books for my Victorian story, so I don't even feel bad about neglecting my planning... *g*
Other than the fact that I'm bound to panicking over work tomorrow, it's been rather a nice day! I got all sorts done even before I went out - is everyone else waking an hour earlier than usual too?! - and am feeling rather accomplished about it all right now. And tomorrow will be rain and getting on with work for my deadline, and all will be well... Hope all is well with you too...
...stopping at traffic lights that no one, apparently, should risk stopping at...
...and eventually finding my way via a quick bout of nostalgia to Hestercombe Gardens, where I used to take the wee ones when I nannied in those there parts. I distinctly remember taking all three children one day in autumn too, and today the leaves were also yellowing on the trees.
It was lovely - had some lunch (squash, feta and courgette bruschetta, which oddly came with a sort of sauce but was delicious, and pink grapefruit with mint fizz to drink - you can tell I'm a bit hooked on mint in icy drinks right now too, cos I'd normally not touch grapefruit with a bargepole (too tart) - but it was lovely and refreshing and I'd like some more now please... and actually I'd already spotted that my local farm shop sells this particular brand, so... *g*). Went off on a walk around the lake. Shouted at some kids. Took some photos... what? The kids were throwing stones at the ducks and swan in the lake, and then one of them took up a huge stick - a branch really - and was bashing at them in the water with it. One of the little buggers actually stood on the edge of the lake near me and began a running commentary on how close his stones were getting. Well it's been years since I've had to tell kids off for something, but I couldn't believe they thought it was okay to be so cruel to animals! So I rounded all four up, gave them a very cross explanation of why they should stop it right now, fended off some lip from one of them - the "friend" - and was perfectly happy to explain to the parents who were sitting chatting just a bit too far away on a bench where they could just about see the kids but not really see what they were doing (I say, giving them the benefit of all my doubts) what they'd been up to. They made the right noises, but they didn't seem particularly bothered, which possibly explains a few things - though to be fair the kids (3 of them, anyway!) were polite and respectful whilst I was being cross with them, which is hopefully a better sign. But honestly...
Anyway - luckily it was all very lovely to wander around, and I didn't bump into them again, so phew. *g* And then I was completely distracted, because oddly enough, I swear I bumped into someone I knew years ago when I was in Taunton - she seemed sooo familiar, and then I saw her husband, and he did too, and... I'm sure I knew them once upon a time. It was virtually pre-internet though, and before I went back to Alaska for the second time, and we met through the kids (hers and the ones I was nannying), so lost touch as soon as I left. For the life of me I couldn't remember her name though - his was right there, perhaps because it was unusual, and if she hadn't been busy chatting to the friend they were with the whole time I might have said "Erm... do I know you...?" but as it was I left without being sure. The other thing was that even though it was half-term there were no kiddies with them, so maybe... no, I'99.9% sure it was someone I once knew! Such a strange thing, though... Have you ever had that happen? What did you do? I mean, I'd been to this woman's place numerous times, there'd been coffee dates with the kids, we'd even gone out together without kids, to various exhibitions. Oddly enough, I remember her loo, because there was a big poster in there of the position you were supposed to sit in when you were going to the loo! Funny the things that stick with you... *g* But could I remember her name...? *headdesk*
And if you got through that rambling, I'm sure you deserve some photos...
There was an exhibition - Oceans by Tania Kovats.
And a rather nice painting on tiles, which worked well with the pillars and ballustrade and all...
Views outside,and view inside...
And guess who this mounting block made me think of!
Before heading off, I might have peered in at the second hand bookshop that all old houses seem to have these days (yeay! *g*) and I found not one but two books for my Victorian story, so I don't even feel bad about neglecting my planning... *g*
Other than the fact that I'm bound to panicking over work tomorrow, it's been rather a nice day! I got all sorts done even before I went out - is everyone else waking an hour earlier than usual too?! - and am feeling rather accomplished about it all right now. And tomorrow will be rain and getting on with work for my deadline, and all will be well... Hope all is well with you too...
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 06:03 am (UTC)Thanks for sharing them, I'm always looking forward to your posts, because your pics are always so perfect!
I wondered about some double images, but when I clicked on them to enlarge, there were other fabulous pics! Fun!
You are my hero, finally somebody who SAYS something. If I'm alone I do it, too, but with my better half there's always his fear that poeple get nasty. To his defence, he's working with familys who GET nasty if somethings not going their way.
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 07:44 am (UTC)Sounds like your husband has one of those very very difficult jobs - I always admire people who see people at their worst, and manage to stay nice themselves... it must be horrid to have to worry about people even more than usual. To be fair this was in a place where the people were unlikely to be the "type" that get nasty (though obviously anyone can) - there was an admission charge, and it was gardens, an old house and an exhibition gallery. And the kids were pretty young (though again that's no guarantee!), which was (apart from the obvious reason!) why I thought it was worth giving it a go - they were young enough still to learn that other people don't think hurting animals for fun is okay. The fourth one, mind, was lippy - he was their "friend", and I suspect that if he'd been with other mates or his family then it might not have gone so well, because he was all defense, even at that age - he was maybe nine or ten. Which isn't usually a good sign of your family background, I think... But the other three at least knew to be polite in response...
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:53 am (UTC)Gorgeous photos of the grounds - is that an ornamental grape, growing up over the trellis? Turning all those delicious shades of red?
And I am amazed by the collection of ocean water. Someone had far too much time on their hands. *g*
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:20 pm (UTC)I think that *was* a grape on the trellis, because there were certainly shrivelled grapes further down the line. It's very ornamental, but whether they can be eaten as well, who knows (apart from not getting enough sun over here (though British wineries are apparently on the up!)
Heee for the collection of ocean water! I think she wrote away and people sent it to her. To be fair she'd made other things for the exhibition too, I just ran out of time to post photos... *g* But yeah... I wish I could earn a living from doing things like that - I suspect it's as much having the sheer guts to be an artist as anything else...
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 12:56 pm (UTC)Gorgeous photos, as always, thank you! You have a great eye for colour and detail. I love the bottles with water in them - how pretty, and slightly silly, but pretty!
Good for you, having a shout at the brats being cruel. Probably nobody's ever explained something like that to them before... hopefully you've made a lasting impression!
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 03:48 pm (UTC)Thanks for going all out and really sharing your day!
How is the weather now? Still nice? Or is it time to hunker down for a bit, and stay warm inside?
Zombie tape! :D
Good for you, that you taught the kids something. I hope, it made an impression on at least some of them. So strange, that the parents don't seem to care much, but then, they may not be nice to animals, either. :(
Did it seem like the woman you are sure you knew well, once, recognized you too, and there just wasn't time to talk right then?
I'm unfortunately so bad at face recognition, that it's always other people, who recognize me, and I often feel embarrassed, when I don't immediately remember their names, or where I know them from.
I've tried hard to change this, but don't think I can.
Hope, you got all your work out of the way with ease today! :)
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Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2014 11:36 am (UTC)It's definitely getting colder now - 4C last night, and almost frosty this morning! My room is definitely chilly!
I don't think the woman I'm sure I knew really registered me as anyone other than a figure wandering around, and definitely didn't recognise me if she did. She's the sort of person I'd expect to say something, I think. It was a long time ago, though, I'd actually forgotten all about her, because we weren't good friends or anything, we were at that just-starting-to-be-friends stage, really.
My brain seems to be a muddle in general (!) - I sometimes recognise names but not faces at all, and I think just as often it's the other way around, faces but not names... I suppose our memories are basically hard-wired (and tend to fray.... *g*) somehow...
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:22 pm (UTC)I'd like to think that I had said just the right things to make the kids remember and think, but who knows, especially if they hadn't learned it from everything else in their surroundings so far... A bit frightening to think that no one's bothered to tell them not to be cruel, though - eep!
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 06:33 pm (UTC)Love the zombie tape! *g*
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:23 pm (UTC)The zombie tape was fun - especially when it was the last thing you were expecting to see when you looked up at the traffic lights! *g*
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Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 10:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:26 pm (UTC)Kids are renowned for being cruel, but I'd hoped the media was backing up the idea that it's not okay to be cruel (to animals if not humans) enough that it might have sunk in... I'd like to think it might make them think, and think twice about doing it again another time even, but sadly who knows...
How nice that you saw your old instructor again - and that he recognised you too (even if it was a bit belated!)
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Date: Thursday, 30 October 2014 11:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tuesday, 4 November 2014 11:31 am (UTC)