My Journey To Health - A Morning Walk

Up early this morning, bedlinen on the line, yes the weather is holding. Booked my Zumba class for Monday week, you have to get up early to book as spaces fill up super fast. Then I took myself off to my local stately home, Chatsworth, for a fresh 45 minute walk around the wonderful gardens, very empty as it was quite early. I have been getting as much exercise as I can for a goodly few months, to increase my fitness and health. I have also been watching the calories and I'm pleased to report I have lost 15lbs so far. The Mr and I have made a conscious shift in our everyday food choices and intake and both of us feel a lot better for it, it will, I feel, be a lifetime choice now. Although I must be due a cake soon, ha ha.

Can I extend a warm welcome to my latest follower, sorry I don't know your name, but thank you for clicking the follow button. I'm only one away now from 100 followers. My small blogging community growing pleases me greatly.

My New Crush

Oh my, Summer days ahead.

Bargains Galore

Hello fellow bargain hunters. Regular readers of mine will know I love the nice things in life but want to attain them at bargain prices. Having said that I don't often go 'shopping' without an express need to do so. BUT last week was an exception. One of the regular Vloggers I subscribe to, mentioned Homesense in one of her small thrifty films. I had forgotten how nice a browse around the TK Maxx home department is, so off I did trot. I have been on the look out for another duvet set for our super king bed. At the moment we have two nice sets, one from the White Company purchased in their sale, which I think was still about £135 and one Yves Delorme set purchased from an outlet store again which was still quite expensive. If you're not familiar with TK Maxx it is a discount store that sells 'brand' clothing and homewares, normally items that are end of ranges for their parent stores. Items are normally only in ones and twos so you have to keep your eyes peeled so not to miss the good stuff.I didn't find the bedlinen I wanted in store but went online and found just the thing. £39.99 plus postage. I really can't see any difference between this and the White Company one I already have, oh, except about £100 cheaper.

In store I found loads and loads of tempting things and happily succumbed to a few. I bought a new nightdress, a cushion, some divine hand soap, an extra pretty candle, 2 packs of Baci 70% dark chocolate little sweets (for health reasons), liver detox tea, spearmint and peppermint tea (also for health reasons), and a few essentials for the Mr (designer pants). A Spode ceramic oven dish, a new tin opener, (desperately needed), for a total of £110. Super scrimper prices for quality items.

This is the new cushion on our spare bed. Our puss likes to snuggle up to our son when he stays, so I thought the cushion would make him smile. I've told my husband not to let me forget about Homesense again, ha ha. And dear reader if you have never been and are in need of some little pleasing trifles pop along. You can thank me later.

Happy Easter My Lovely Blogging Chums

A Discovery

I discovered this book in one of my local charity shops, stuck together with some nasty brown sellotape, since removed thankfully. It was the cover that caught my eye. Although I have been clearing out a substantial amount of books pre-move, I am also purchasing any 'special' ones that I find. As I have decided that I would really love a small cosy reading room/library in our new house. The book by Betty Macdonald tells the tale of her island life with her second husband and two teenage daughters, published in 1955 it is set in the war years. It is really funny, in a similar vein to the E.M. Delafield book The Diary of a Provincial Lady. I have since found out she has written several other books, which I hope to track down. Here is the lady herself. I think she has a real look of mischief about her.

Time Travelling

On our way to Mr. Straw's house the Mr and I popped along to take a look at Clumber Park. It is a 3,800 acre estate set within Sherwood Forest. For over three hundred years it was the country estate of the Dukes of Newcastle, now looked after by The National Trust. Sadly no trace of their house remains, it was taken down in 1938. But the parkland and especially the huge glasshouse were an absolute joy to visit. The weather wasn't being very kind whilst we were there but we will visit again when the sun is shining and picnic in hand we will explore the rest of the parkland. Of course the rain couldn't put a dampener on our visit to Endcliffe Villa, the house of the Straw family. The house itself told the story of the simple and contented lives that were led there through much of the 20th century. It was a strangely moving experience, I could feel deeply the humbleness and quietness of the family that had lived there and may still be there? The family didn't live a 'big' or worldly life but I could feel the richness of their experiences. Simple, hard working and ethical folk who lived their lives well. Wish that we could all say that.

I'm Stepping Back in Time

Tomorrow the Mr and I are stepping back in time to the 1920s with a visit to Mr Straw's house. I've been meaning to visit for years but have never managed to get there. It is owned by the NT and is not open very often, add the fact they only let 4 people in at a time you can understand why. We had planned to go to the Victorian Radicals exhibition in Birmingham, but I couldn't face the journey and the trials of spaghetti junction, so Nottingham it is.

Real People Real Times

Hello blogging chums, it has been a while. A horrible bout of ill health, now under control has prevailed, it mysteriously took my blogging mojo with it. Today though I saw a little film of Steve Harley singing in 1975. It reminded me that I am a very lucky person to have lived through that era, when people were all individuals making their own kind of music and developing their own sense of style. Real people in real times. Sad that he has passed.

Just Saying

New collection gold TWP coat. I had EXACTLY the same coat as this in 1975, I wore it with a rich dark brown Kangol cap. I would put all my hair into the cap and make a big display and flourish when I removed the hat. What it is to be young eh?

House Keeping The Queen Mary Dolls' House Windsor Castle

Very sweet, paid for by the grateful nation.

Love Is All We Need