Righteous indignation!

It's lovely to see the snowdrops in flower but recently I heard a programme about snowdrop or "Galanthus" theft. With are over 1000 varieties some are VERY DESIRABLE - so much so that individual bulbs sell on e-bay for anything up to £100! Snowdrops are now big business and there are snowdrop conventions which Galanthophiles will travel miles to (even coming over from the continent).

A couple of nights ago my brother who lives in a cottage in a tiny hamlet told me that, on the roadside in front of the cottage, his clumps of snowdrops had been dug up, halved and replaced, with the soil neatly put back around them. They were at the side of the road in front of a hedge which I suspect made the culprit think they were fair game but having planted 500 bulbs last spring he wasn't impressed. As they were still in flower they probably won't even survive. Given he's a Police Inspector I guess the hamlet's inhabitants will be having to show the soles of their shoes for footprints! He said that forensic tests suggested the culprit had two feet and not four...

How very dare they?

Love Wend

'Tis the season

for Quality Street,




Miniature Heroes ,

Roses,



etc, etc.

Tins of calorific indulgence cover "the desk at the end" from December 1st until mid January (people take in their unwanted chocs after xmas hoping others will eat them so they don't have to break their post Christmas diets.)

But take a moment to reflect on the packaging. Take a minute to read the recycling instructions on a box of Quality Street - as follows...

"Once you've enjoyed the sweets separate the coloured outer wrapper and recycle the foil as you would a drinks can.

You can put the coloured outer wrappers on your compost where they'll decompose. This is a much greener way of getting rid of them and it'll help your plants grow strong.

Remove the window from the empty carton and put the window bit in the bin The card can then be quickly and easdily recycled... By doing these thingsa you'll be doing your bit to help look after the planet, so why not treat yourself..."

This took the whole idea of of sneaking a quick bite of chocolate into a"whole"nother sphere - the team trying desperately to separate foil from cellophane, ripping windows from the cardboard and wondering whether the office can recycling bin men would respond favourably to lots of bits of Quality Street wrappers mixed into the "Cans only" bin. Such fun! (Hey - times are desperate in the Civil Service - we have to scavenge laughs where we can)

Why, I wonder, is there a cellophane window in the middle of the outer packaging? Given anyone over the age of 3 knows what QS look like I'm not sure there needs to be a hole over which they need to stick, (with glue), the cellophane, so that we can see the multi layered wrappers within. So in this age of austerity and in a bid to live a greener life if you must send me chocolate please do it in the form of



which succeed on both counts - non fattening centres and non wasteful wrappers! A box will do nicely but I can think of a variety of useful things to do with a bucket if you must send one!

Love Wend

Serendipity!

I've been off work this week supposedly to support Niobe while on study leave - provision of drinks, going for walks to clear her head etc but it hasn't worked out quite like that. She has been going into school even on the non exam days! Apparently she can get one to one attention from the teachers who have no students to teach and can get essays turned round and marked within hours! So my role turned into chauffeur only which has given me time to potter and wind down a bit. I do have a couple of little bits of heaven to share with you though. On Thursday I tried a car boot I hadn't been to before. I didn't expect much with it being midweek but found these Laura Ashley curtains from the 80s (how many of you are remembering these from the first time round?).



The ones on the left are I think called Emma and the deisgn is part of one inspired by the Bloomsbury set and Charleston Farmhouse and although I've tried to bid for this fabric on Ebay I've never been successful. The ones on the right were chintz but have lost their glaze (which for me is a good thing). The greeny pair were made by Laura Ashley so I was thrilled to get both pairs for £1!



Then just look at this mirror!!! I already have a couple of these heavy mirrors plain and unadorned but I had only ever seen the painted ones in the Cath Kidston shop. I'm sure I'll be told to wash my mouth out but I cannot bring myself to pay her prices! (I want the job of one of the ladies who trawls towns and cities looking for treasure to sell in her shops - I could do that!). It wasn't easy to photograph without getting the middle aged photographer in the image so this is the best I could do but I just love the Crinoline lady under her rose covered arbour wandering by her herbaceous border.... How much - the cost of a punnet of strawberries - but will last much longer. £2!!



Having just enjoyed Cathy's post over at "Menopausalmusing" I had to share this book found in a charity shop this week. There were no dates etc inside but a quick google tells me its from 1934 and the illustrator is Eileen Mayo. First a facsimile of an advertising poster





It is both fact and fiction giving the history of the circus and lots of background to acts and how they are performed along with stories of the circus and its folk.



I've never been to the circus and was beguiled by the stories. My knowledge is restricted to black and white memories of Bille Smart's on TV in the 60s!



The acrobats are amazing



Love this image of the circus folk with the guy in the foreground taking his "tyger" for a walk. Health and Safety wouldn't let him do that today!



The dancing horses



Delightful endpapers



and next, just for Cathy (although she prefers dancing on elephants!)

Yesterday I went to Newstead Abbey home (once) to Byron - mad, bad and dangerous to know so we have something in common. I suddenly remembered that its home to a very special tree and wondered whether it might be in flower.



Doesn't look anything special?



Now look!



The Handkerchief tree - yes really! (Or sometimes called the Dove tree or the ghost tree). It really does look from a distance as if it has hankies drying in the breeze.



Just look at those flowers - as big as my hand. (As its Chelsea week we'll use the proper name - the white bits are bracts apparently surrounding the little flower in the middle). The slightest bit of breeze causes these beauties to dance on their stalks as if they were the daintiest little things. Wonderful - this week's bit of serendipity!



If you have one of these near you now is the time to visit!

Hope you find time to appreciate something beautiful this weekend!

Love Wend

Going on an adventure!

Thought I'd just do a quick post before I go off on my mini adventure to the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury on Saturday, preceded by meandering my way down tomorrow, via whatever little towns I can find and avoiding motorways on the way.If you see me at the fair do say hello - it would be lovely to meet you!




The top picture is auriculas in my garden - love these little flowers with my little Sylvac dog amongst them! The auricula theatre alas isn't mine - it's at Calke (National Trust) in Derbyshire and is at its best when its used for its designed purpose.




This is my favourite auricula (Calke's not mine). Isn't the flower dramatic?



I must away - there are 3 guys called Nick, Gordon and David awaiting my attention on the sofa!

Have a good weekend!

Love Wend

Fabulous florals!

The last couple of weeks have been frantically busy. Last week saw me delivering a thousand poll cards ready for the election on top of the day job. I do this in a large village a few miles from where I live. These pictures of magnolias were taken as I pounded the pavement in Burton Joyce (or Bert & Joyce as I think of it given the number of old folks bungalows!)



Magnolias are my favourite tree/shrub and so often their beauty is marred by late frosts. This year we've been really lucky and haven't had any frosts bad enough to brown the beautiful flowers.



I love all kinds of magnolias but have a particular fondness for this one - Magnolia Stellata with its more delicate but nonetheless fabulously striking and pure flowers.



Isn't it lovely?



This week saw the first of several visits to universities - Cardiff first. No pictures though - this was Niobe's trip so I (with difficulty) reliquished control! I was pleasantly surprised. I had concerns about Cardiff being a large faceless capital but found it to be much smaller than I thought with everything within walking distance...1 down 4 to go!



I thought I'd include this shot which is the railings outside Niobe's school. The railing are an old lace pattern as the school is housed in an old Nottingham Lace factory. I thought the forsythia looked lovely poking through - the railings are usually obscured when the plant is in full leaf.



And flowers seems to have been a theme this weekend - I've managed to pick up three lovely pieces of vintage fabric - the gold floral



the crackle background



and tucked behind those in this shot a piece of barkcloth already hemmed on all sides.



So thrilled - I can feel some more cushions coming on!

And I should also say - this is my hundredth post, I've recently just passed 100 followers and it is just over a year since I started my Ticking Stripes blog. I'd like to thank you all for popping in and sharing some of my thoughts and for commenting - it's lovely when people take the time to comment. I'd never imagined how much I would get from having my own blog - its been amazing! A giveaway is called for - once I can come up with something desirable!

Have good week

Love Wend

Magic, cutlery and china!

The picture below is for all those who are mourning the loss of summer. Today I spotted this lovely lupin catching the autumn rays oblivious to the fact it's way beyond its season! Nevertheless it was lovely to see one of the lovely blue spires on 18th October!(don't look too closely at the leaves which are less than perfect and a bit mildewy!).



What a relief - I and the gorgeous girl have finally made it to half term. She started 6th form this term and we have both had an extremely busy few weeks. I'm having this week off with her for some time to catch up with ourselves and for me to try and sort out some goodies for the Homemade and Vintage fair in Northampton on 7th November. We'll be baking and visiting plus having one of our days out somewhere we haven't been before.



I wasn't expecting a good car boot today as I thought it might be too chilly for the stall holders but I went for a wander anyway and wasn't disappointed! My favourite find of the day was this Black Magic box which must be 40 years old - I've never seen one like this. I asked the price and was told it was £2 for the contents. I hadn't picked it up and was surprised to find it full of cutlery (and nice quality cutlery too!) Reader, I bought it. When I got home I found there was a lovely pair of sugar tongs too!



I loved this Arthur Woods tankard/mug with its delightful floral pattern. It must be 1940s or 50s, I guess and has just the right amount of crazing - I like a little crazing but not so much that the item looks discoloured. This was only 50p!



The lady in yellow attracted me and so she had to come home too along with the matching cotton bobbin!



This lovely plate and little jug were also snapped up and stuck in the top is one of a bag full off hankies I bought. I'm a bit wary of buying these unless can see them properly before I buy but I took a chance. There were about 40 so for £2 I'm hoping there will be at least a few that are worth keeping! They are currently bathing in a bowl of very hot Biotex! I'll inspect them more closely when they are clean and dry!



I love it when you go out expecting it to be a fruitless trip only to find all sorts of things you hadn't expected!



The Tunnicliffe's "Portraits of British Birds" Brooke Bond Tea cards book was complete - not sure what I'm going to do with it yet but the cards are delightful.



I actually picked up two boxes of "shake words" both containing little wooden blocks with letters printed on them. Such a shame these simple little games aren't attractive to children these days. I still enjoy playing them!



Last but not least a batch of Ladybird books (from the 70s I think). I shall enjoy taking some time to sit and browse through these with a coffee this week. Can anyone remember which lovely blogger has a link to a Ladybird site which tells you how old your books are?

Oh I've noticed I'm very close to 50 followers! I must start thinking about a giveaway...

Hope you all have a good week.

Love Wend

Visited by a Lady and some Admirals!

Last week I finished reading "The Behaviour of Moths" by Poppy Adams. It was described by the Guardian as "A gothic tale of madness, sibling rivalry and lepidoptera, Adams is a skilful entertaining storyteller". Lepidoptery being the study of moths and butterflies. Now I'm no fan of moths - we have a love hate relationship. They loving living with me and I hate having them. They have long outstayed their welcome in Ticking Towers.

I had hoped for some insight into why they should always choose the better quality and more expensive jumpers rather than the blanket I picked up for a pound at the charity shop. I was appalled to see they had munched through my favourite, bought only last winter Joules cardigan but had left alone the chunky Aran ("don't think you're wearing that with me, mother")jumper. Sadly I was disppointed. I learnt a lot about the life cycle of moths and what is within a cocoon (don't ask - its disgusting)but nothing as to their food preferences. Any hope of tempting them out of the cosy confines of my wardrobe with something else they might enjoy feasting on was dashed. Having said that it was a good read although not quite the page turner I had expected.



I thought nothing more about the winged creatures until I was hanging the washing out on Saturday and ducking dark shadows overhead which all seemed to be aiming for my overgrown ivy. I actually can't stand things fluttering around my head but these little beauties stopped me in my tracks for a good half hour. There were lots of them so I rushed for my camera and took some shots.



Apparently there was an influx of Painted Ladies earlier this year and "Autumnwatch" had been urging people to contact them if they knew where they had all gone to. I did spot one Painted Lady (she was took quick for me to get a picture) but the rest after a quick google check were Red Admirals whom I'm sure should all be cocooned up nicely for winter.



Anyway they could be seen for most of the day having a final flutter around the garden and basking on the ivy in the lovely autumn sunshine and sunning their fabulously vibrant wings.



I'm not the best at taking pictures but I have to say I like this final one with the detail in the antennae.



Hope you aren't having too much troubled with winged creatures...

Have a good week.

Love Wend
xx

No one loves a lichen lover!

The gorgeous girl and I have just come back from a few days bonding in and around the Cotswolds. She wanted to get a feel for a couple of possible university towns and I wanted to get away from it all and enjoy her company, some eye candy and some nice weather. Well, as the song goes two out of three ain't bad!



The weather was much as we've come to expect with lots of grey skies interspersed with heavy showers. I love the way we Brits, undeterred, still hang out the bunting in the sure and certain knowledge that it will get very soggy!



We loved Oxford with its honey coloured colleges and quirky shop displays. Much time was spent dodging the showers and running from one to the other! But at least now I know what to do should I find the odd quarter or half of a Union flag!



Love the bicycle culture...



and loved these light fitting with shades covered either with union flags or with ribbons or paper in the right shades of red white and blue.



We meandered through lots of Cotswold towns: Chipping Norton, Stow on the Wold, Moreton in the Marsh, Shipston on Stour, Banbury and finally on the way home Warwick (the other uni town visited). This was quite a big deal for me as I'm not the best of drivers and have pushed myself out of my comfort zone to drive in unfamiliar areas this week. With my trusty navigator we managed really well and I can tick off 5counties I hadn't previously driven in!

It was only when I loaded up my pictures that I realised how many snaps I'd taken of things that had seen better days...

the chippy paint on a garage door...



the old faded fire bucket with its letters missing...



the crumbling stone work of those golden buildings...



the lovely aged patina of this corrugated roof...



the old graves covered in ivy and lichen...



and the old dry stone wall also covered in lichen...



I was enthusing over the lovely colours of the lichen and their aged beauty when my gorgeous girl informed me that "no-one loves a lichen lover!" - as lichen is nature's pollution indicator. It was hard to imagine how much pollution must have caused such huge amounts of lichen in such a delighful setting - the church in one village was covered in it.



So when I saw the message on the clock above, spotted in Shipston upon Stour, it served as a powerful reminder that time will march inexorably on taking its toll on our planet in ways both beautiful and destructive and that we have to invest time and effort now in helping save the environment for the sake of our children and their children. Now where did I put my wand?

Love Wend