Hay Hay We're The Bookworms

Still thinking of the lovely break we had in Hay on Wye 'The Town of Books' at the beginning of the month.

The small market town of Hay is famous for its second hand bookshops and was a favourite haunt of mine when I was studying in Hereford, so, quite a few years on I was happy to see it hadn't lost any of its charm.

 

 

 

 

The 'on Wye' bit also didn't disappoint and we were treated to glimpses of Kingfisher and a first for me, Dippers - such smart looking little fellows!

 

 

 

 

One of the highlights had to be watching wild Kites being fed in the heart of the Brecon Beacons.

 

 

Although curling up back at the apartment with a new book, freshly purchased in town came a close second!

 

 

Heaven!

Shopfest at Denbies

Madly trying to finish the last few pieces for Shopfest at Denbies this Sunday, 9th October 2016.

The Fair is open from 11am - 4pm with free entry and is held at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey,  RH5 6HA

 

 

Do drop by and say hello if you're in the area.

Arundel Castle

 

I've been a long time fan of the market town of Arundel in West Sussex.

Our usual activities comprise of coffee and cake, a stroll along the river, a nose around the back streets and a smidgen of retail therapy.

This last visit we ventured into the grounds of Arundel Castle (home to the current Duke of Norfolk) and we were not disappointed. Small but beautifully formed, the diverse planting and inspiring setting made for one of the best day trips we've had this Summer.

The fact that that it was a near perfect summers day helped of course but as we entered a courtyard dotted with fountains and tinkling with the sound of water, the impression was that of an absolute paradise. Do you remember arriving at a theme park as a child and feeling such an overwhelming sense of excitement that you positively had to run everywhere - well that was me (or maybe that's just me?!)

Anyway, enough rambling - here are some pics!

 The Collectors Earl Garden

 Cut Flower Garden

 The White Garden

 Stumpery

Wildflower Garden

Sprinting Hare

A fantastic holiday in Orkney has inspired this latest piece.

A gentle stroll down to the beach, Oyster Catchers calling over head and hares running flat out through the fields either side of us - heaven!

Awaiting instillation into his glass case he will be available in my Folksy shop tomorrow.

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Tweet of the Day

Not every culture sees a single Magpie as a bad omen, in Korea the bird signifies the arrival of visitors to your house and in China the bird is a symbol of good luck and fortune.

Consider this little chap as a welcome visitor to your home and remember that if you see lots of single magpies in the Spring it's usually because they are foraging for food for their mate.

This needle felted miniature sits atop a hand painted vintage brass telephone and will be available in my Folksy shop in the next day or two.

The Fox &The Gramophone

As anyone who has ever lain in bed listening to foxes knows, when singing their song, they are practically pitch perfect!!

This fellow loves nothing more than listening to some smooth classics of an evening.

 

 

 

Available from my Folksy Shop in the next day or two

Orkney Delights

Beautiful Orkney - "Not on everyones bucket list" as the lady who checked us in at Gatwick wryly observed but I love it none the less

 

Staying on the East Mainland meant revisiting some favourite haunts and plenty of beachcombing with the not very well hidden intention of bagging a Groatie Buckie or 10! 

 

The sound of oyster catchers and curlew replaced the familiar song birds we usually wake to and a quick peek out of the window meant we were able to check the tide line on the beach.

 

 

 

Marwick Head

 

 

 

Waterfall at Yesnaby

 

 

The Beach at the bottom of the lane (Aikerness)

 

 

A 'Groatie Buckie' (Atlantic Cowrie) said to bring luck and avidly hunted for by locals and tourists alike

 

I am planning a few projects based on the fantastic wildlife we spotted during our stay so watch this space!