It's hot!

You know it's glorious weather when you can put your washing out on the line in the evening to save you a job in the morning, absolutely confident in the knowledge it won't rain and the sun will shine again the next morning. Ahh sunshine and blue skies.

Dressing of the wells

Yesterday was the annual well dressing ceremony in the village where we live. Apparently in the 19th century there were  regular well dressings here but the tradition died down until being reintroduced in 2000 by the Women's Institute.

There is a huge tradition of well dressings in Derbyshire where wells are decorated in flower petals to give thanks for the clear water they provide. The traditions may date back to the Black Death when you really were thankful for untainted water and gave thanks for that privilege.

The WI dressing made entirely from flower petals and greenery.

The well dressings where we live are quite a celebration. A brass band leads the way. There are quite a few wells and each one is blessed and a verse of All Things Bright and Beautiful sung. Some are actual wells coming off the escarpment behind the village and some are symbolic allowing different groups to get involved in the historical ceremony. The three local schools, the guides, scouts, WI, two local churches all make flowered tableaux.

The local Rainbows, Brownies, Guides.

I think it's a lovely tradition bringing together the local community. I think everyone gets something out of it. If you are religious then you really are giving thanks. If you are not then you can enjoy the camaraderie and the artistry and dedication of the people who make the flowered pictures. I also love the fact the local schools get involved. My son last year was able to point out the owl that he had made from petals on his school's tableau.

Long may sticking petals on wells continue.

Summer artichokes

I don't know about you but Globe Artichokes have always been a bit of a mystery to me. Not that they have come up in conversation much in the circles I mix in but if they have I have been slightly in awe of anyone who knows what they are and hugely in awe if they have cooked and eaten one. I have been even more impressed if they have known which parts you eat and how?

Last year we bought two plants and popped them in the garden. This year we have magnificent architectural artichokes. The buds are absolutely amazing and a beauty to behold. In the build up to one being ready I bought a jar of artichokes to sample. We liked.

We looked on the internet to discover when we should pick. And after some prevarication we did duly pick. By coincidence I watched a chef on TV cook an artichoke the other month so felt a little bit more confident as to how to go about cooking it and which bits to eat.

Today we cooked it and ate it. It was very enjoyable. Not much to eat from one small globe but heck we'd grown it so it was wonderful. We chewed on the cactus-like leaves and savoured the internal choke. I did manage to boil a little caterpillar in the process so apologies to all multi-legged, long bodied creatures but it was all a lovely summer in the garden experience.

Rapunzel Diaries 4: Victoria/Prospect Tower

Another great tower because you can climb it. It was built in 1844 to relieve unemployment amongst local miners and stonemasons. It's also a cool tower because it already sits on the side of a very steep hill so the vista is rather spectacular. It has spiral stairs within which are always desirable. They build up the anticipation of the view as you wind round and round.

It sits within The Heights of Abraham complex near Matlock in Derbyshire which must be one of the oldest little theme parks in Britain. It was first opened in the 18th century for woodland walks and visits down the lead and fluorspar mines. You can still go down the mines today. I really enjoyed it as it has a real sense of history and because of its unusual position, perched on the side of a wooded precipice. But the best feature is the cable car in which you travel to get up the steep hill to visit this bijou theme park. You really do need a head for heights.

By the way it's called the Heights of Abraham after a battle on the Plains of Abraham near Quebec in 1759.



Game set pimms

I went to Wimbledon this week. It was fantastic. Mind you my friend and I were put through the ringer by Mr Murray who just had to stretch his match to five sets.

I saw Murray/Henman Hill which is actually a lot smaller than it looks on the TV. We wandered among the play courts and I was amazed how close the public get to the players and how efficient they have to be at shutting out their audience. People talking, munching, photographing and generally moving about must be quite disconcerting - I'd want to tell everyone to be quiet.

We sipped refreshing Pimms and watched the great Wimbledon public go by. Strawberries, flowers, purple, green and cream everywhere. I was amazed there were no queues any where and Centre Court was just jaw dropping for me as a first timer.

It was quite a family affair. I was there with a friend and my brother was there and my nephew was there. All three parties having got their tickets in the Wimbledon draw. Much time was spent spotting where the other two parties were sat. I know now to take binoculars if I ever get tickets again.

I now fully appreciate what a quick and efficient job the ball girls and boys perform. They are a well trained force. They have not only to pick up balls but attend to their player's every whim. If s/he wants her towel they have to jump to it. If their player wants their balls presented in a certain order they have to work that out. I only hope the big names give the ball girls/boys a huge tip at the end of the tournament. Everyone who works there seems to know exactly the role they have to fulfil and gets on with it. We finally saw Murray win game, set and match which for us meant game, set and shall we have another Pimms? Go on then.

Tickled Pink: Tickled Vanilla

There are things that 'tickle me pink'. Things that delight me. I love that phrase.

We went to visit a friend on the Wirral at the weekend and he treated us to a coffee at an ice cream parlour and our coffee came with a miniature ice cream cone attached. I was tickled vanilla.

The Build: Week 3

This week has mainly involved building brick walls....not much to say about that really other than they grow.

Much more exciting is our new table.We still have an oven - no hob mind-  but it does mean we are able to cook our evening meals. The problem comes when we need to actually eat said meal. We have no table. We are fine if the sun shines as we have a table in the garden but if it's cool or raining that is not an option. My husband cooked last Saturday and I was led into the children's bedroom to find an ironing board set for four between the children's beds. Two sat on one bed on one side and two on the bed on the other. It's perfect. I knew there was a reason we never tried for three children!  You can adjust it to the height you need and it is a perfect shape to fit between two beds. Next time I think we will splash out and bedeck it with a table cloth (if we can find one).

It's the most use the board has had in ages. I'm not one for pressing clothes. Long live the humble ironing board.