It's been an odd week, we're currently without a sofa! The new one arrived, and although we had measured everything carefully, try as they might, the delivery people could not get it around the angle of our stairs.
We had ordered the new one from John Lewis. (UK readers will know their reputation, we are huge fans). They were really helpful in sorting out a new order for the slightly smaller version, but, the design has been so popular it will not be here until at least the end of the month! Unfortunately, we had already arranged to get rid of the old suite. So out have come the camping chairs, which are actually very good for me sitting and stitching, but not very relaxing!
On the plus side I am spending a lot more time in my art/craft area, and we're now seriously thinking about converting it from a bedroom to a studio/sitting room, as it seems silly to keep a huge bed which is used very infrequently - and I really would love the space! I have started painting again, and have recommenced my course. I just agreed a date with my tutor to submit my first assignment, so I have until the beginning of March. Wish me luck!
As I've no nice pictures this week - I'm going to cheat, and do a"flashback" back to last autumn. I didn't have time to post about this before my pelvis decided to go awol again.
So here we go, back in time, (cue suitable music, and a montage of attractive pictures leading into....)
Our weekend away in the lovely county of Somerset. Beautiful scenery, wonderful wildlife, and a visit to three, count them, three, stunning, historic places.
The first stop on our Grand Tour, was a gloriously sunny Saturday at Montacute House, a fantastic Tudor mansion with the most beautiful gardens
Just look at the ‘pudding house'! These were set into opposite corners of the East Court. The nickname is from Tudor and Stuart times, when parties would retire from the Dining Room to enjoy their dessert in the splendour of the grandest part of the garden. Gorgeous! I wanted to set up home inside.
Oh, yes - for the Jane Austen lovers among you- part of "Sense and Sensibility" was filmed in the gardens.
The house contains a beautiful sump work casket, from the late C17th, and the Goodhart sampler collection (collected over 32 years by Dr Douglas Goodhart, whose passion for collecting wasn't shared by all his family. His children would shout ‘Drive on, Daddy, drive on’ whenever they passed an antique shop in the car!) I had a wonderful time looking at all these marvellous old textiles. Sadly I can't share photos as the Trust has a strict "no photography indoors" rule in order to preserve and protect the interiors and artefacts.
We went on a walk through the estate and climbed this folly on St Michael's Hill, to see the amazing views.
An early start on a grey and drizzly Sunday meant we were the first visitors to enjoy the beauty of Tintinhull Garden. It was so quiet when we arrived, there was a flash of azure blue - a kingfisher enjoying a fishy breakfast from the ornamental pond.
Roll on better weather. Hope it's much nicer wherever you are!


