Norfolk - the sunday after the surge.

We were subdued as we drove to Norfolk from Suffolk as we had heard of the terrible floods with people losing their homes to the sea and it didn't seem like the time for a jolly; in fact, we only got as far as Snape (in Suffolk) before hitting the first flood and having to detour.

We arrived in inland Holt at dusk on Saturday afternoon to find it all lit up with Christmas lights and busy with shoppers and suddenly we were glad we came!

Our accommodation was warm and welcoming and secluded- we had a lovely time the next day at Deepdale Christmas Market and then went off to Wells-next-the-sea hoping it wasn't too storm wrecked.

We were rewarded on Wells beach with one of the most beautiful sunsets of the year

It was like a little slice of heaven, and it was great to see that most of the beach huts had survived the surge. There were lots of people on the beach on this December sunday and I think everyone felt quite emotional at the beauty of the afternoon- the calm after the storm.

If you are not local to East Anglia or the east coast you probably didn't hear too much about the storm as the death of Nelson Mandela overtook all other news, but the surge was greater than the floods of 1953.

On my Facebook page there is a link to photos of the storm and the  photographer is selling prints of one of the photos to give money to the fund for victims.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Plainprimitives/347226565367737

Blooming June

It finally feels like summer in the garden. Things are still behind by about a fortnight but gradually things are catching up.

A tremendous storm on Saturday afternoon replenished the water butt and rinsed a few aphids from the roses.

The bearded irises have been terrific this year, surprising as the rhizomes are supposed to bake in sun for the preceding summer, and sun was practically non-existent last year if I remember rightly.

Iris 'Deep Black' above, is very tall, and has withstood the strong winds of the past week or so with no staking.

Iris 'Foggy Dew' is slightly shorter and this is the first time I have seen it in flower.

The gorgeous sky blue tones of Iris pallida have been clashing with with the blowsy flowers of the oriental poppy, 'Pattie's Plum'

This is a gorgeous strong growing poppy but it is difficult to place in the garden as it clashes with just about everything, although it does look rather good beside the clump of Nectaroscordums (Allium bulgaricum).

The quote below is rather apt, I think. I always try to notice every thing as it bursts into flower but in June it's very difficult.

"In June, as many as a dozen species may burst their buds on a single day.  No man can heed all of these anniversaries; no man can ignore all of them."  
-  Aldo Leopold

Don't do it! (Adventures into an alternative universe)

Many people said don't do it but I wanted to have a go to see what all the fuss was about. 

There were dire warnings of a saturated market and a downward slope of addiction from which there was no return.

Friends who already did it became giggly and coy at the mention of it 'Once you start you won't be able to stop' said one.

What am I talking about?

Jewellery making of course!

I have an addictive compulsive personality type thingy which had already led to me buying and hoarding FABRIC that I was never actually going to cut into because it was too precious and too beautiful, and I have to admit it hasn't gone away even now- I still sit in a darkened room late at night salivating over fabric on a computer screen. But now I have a second addiction to drool over- BEADS! CHAIN! FINDINGS! METAL STAMPINGS! ICE ENAMELS! ICE RESIN! LAMPWORK BEADS! CHARMS! WIREWORK!ARGHHH! The list is endless and goes on and on..... AND ON.

A few months on and I now have a Folksy shop full of beady things- and to my utter delight and amazement have even sold a few pieces too, some in the flesh, some online. I am still learning of course, but I no longer feel like an absolute beginner. There are so many things I want to try, it's just finding the time and the money to do it.

I know I'm in a saturated market and it's madness to try and swim in a crowded pool but I enjoy fiddling with the little shiny precious things and a pair or two of pliers instead of a sewing needle- and I have had ideas of combining the two and hope to begin experimenting soon.

One thing I will say is that jewellery making is relaxing and therapeutic, but it isn't always as easy as it first appears, especially stuff like loop wrapping takes a fair bit of practice-it definitely can't be classed as simple assemblage in my opinion- it is a skill. I still scrutinise my stuff, especially after the camera has magnified my loops. But as with any craft I guess the main thing is that you love doing it and enjoy it which I do- so I'm glad I took the plunge!

Spring garden- aquilegias

(Pictured above is Semi-aquilegia 'Little Lanterns')
I love this time of year but I can't seem to keep up with the weeds in the garden. Even though we have a drought here in the east of england the weeds still manage to grow lush and green. One genus of plants that don't seem to mind being on the dry side are aquilegias (aka grannnies bonnets) The deep dark double one above was a chance seedling that appeared in my garden. I love its dark dusky perfection.

Aquilegias are easily grown from seed but it helps if the seed is as fresh as it can be and germination is sporadic. At the moment I am trying Aquilegia 'Green Apples' and a few seedlings are up so hopefully next year I'll have a new variety to admire. I have just the place for them too, in my shady corner where I have ferns and saxifragas.

The bicoloured aquilegia in the photo above is 'William Guiness' or 'Magpie', not sure if it has aphids or a spiders web on it, looks a little dusty, but I don't use any chemicals in my garden so everything has to take its chance. works quite well most of the time.

The bluebells are late this year so I thought I'd dig out an old pic from last year.
We are so lucky to have this ancient woodland near where we live and the bluebells can flourish undisturbed, last year was a bumper year.
The weather changed on the tuesday after easter to nice and sunny from dank and cloudy, so I've started gardening. Each year I have all good intentions to keep on top of things but I never do, still, I do try lol!

The easter hare

There are lots of conflicting stories and legends about Oestre(Easter), the goddess of spring, and her hare. Some say he started as a little wounded bird and she turned him into a hare so he could run from his enemies, the only birdlike part of him that remained was that he could lay eggs.

The hare eventually evolved into the easter bunny. I like the idea of an easter hare much better.