Prague - City of Dreams

Last weekend Elaine and I experienced 3 wonderful days of sunshine in Prague. The vistas of the city architecture were magical with shimmering green domes and spires looking down on a myriad of terracotta roof tiles. Our own independent tour included a city bus ride, a night at the opera, a midday classical concert, an evening dinner river cruise, as well as wandering on foot through the medieval alleys and up to the castle fortress area. Other highlights included stumbling on a terraced Italian Baroque garden, a huge grey rock sculpture wall and the memorial to John Lennon in the form of a graffiti wall.

We found the Czech people very pleasant and helpful especially the young.

This is the stuff that dreams are make of!

Mount Pleasant Gardens

Recently I went with the Sunday Garden Group to Mount Pleasant Gardens near Kelsall. This garden set on a hillside with lots of hidden corners is ideal for the sculpture exhibition displaying work by local artists, which seems to be an annual event at this time of year. Again we were lucky with the weather and could enjoy refreshments al fresco. What I love about this garden is that there are seats tucked away everywhere. The Japanese garden is spectacular.

Make up your own caption for the Meerkats. Mine is "Did you hear the one about ........"

Ludlow Food and Drink Festival

Last Friday I went on a 'jolly' with U3A to the Ludlow Food and Drink festival. We were all very impressed by the event held in the castle grounds of this lovely town, especially as the weather remained warm and sunny all day. I was amused that we indulged in a hog roast bap listening to a debate on 'Carnivores versus Vegetarians'. Other memorable tastings were sloe gin, elderflower flavoured icecream and 'fuffles' which was a combination of fudge and truffles (sweet variety!).

Morning Glory

Every morning weather permitting I indulge in a cup of filter coffee in my garden shelter. But first I have to pass the fence with my 'Morning Glory' annuals to inspect the day's offerings. For the 'latinists' these are Ipomoea purpurea belonging to the Convolvulaceae family and for the non-gardeners the flowers only last for a day. I've only once ever bought seeds several years ago and for ever after they manage to self-seed themselves. The are dark purple (Star of Yalta), white (Milky way) and mauve (Grandpa Otis). Well today I noticed 2 new hybrids with colours pink and dark pink - was I excited. I think my friend had bought them in a packet and they hadn't done well for her. So the moral of this story is to leave everything to mother nature!

A Day out in Derby

Today I travelled by train to Derby to put a few ghosts to rest!

In the square these giant ghosts from Derby's heritage were being paraded and I was amused to wonder what the conversation would have been between wealthy Bess of Hardwick and Florence Nightingale - they were 3 centuries apart. They had been built by young people for the Arts Festival this weekend.

I found the cathedral very light and airy with beautiful yellow and blue stained glass windows. There was no sign of the Peregrine falcons having nested on a ledge of the tower but I did find a lovely contempletive garden behind the cathedral teashop.

The art gallery has a room devoted to Derby's famous painter Joseph Wright of the 18 century, but it was littered with musicians practicing for an evening concert today.

A visit to the magnificent shopping centre 'Westfields' has to wait for another visit as I was far too tired for any retail therapy.

The ghosts of Derby past were vanquished today as I found everyone so friendly and helpful.

Abbeys and Anniverseries

Bank holiday Monday Graham (over from Bristol ) and I had a walk near Leek after lunch at the Rudyard Hotel. We did a 4 mile circular amble from The Abbey pub, resting on Ray's seat by Tony's memorial gate, then over the hill to take in The Roaches and Tittesworth reservoir view, down to Southhillswood farm and back via the lovely unofficial River Churnet path with views over to the Abbey Farm. In days of yore this used to be the site of a Cistercion abbey called De La Croix or Dieulacres but all that remains today are the raised banks by the river, but it is said that some of stone was used to build local farmhouses and some to build Astbury church.

This image was taken 5 years ago as I haven't been able to climb over the iron farm gate at the end of the walk since. Happily this time I was able to roll over it no problem -back excercises must be working!

Our day ended with an invitation to Allison and Simon's home for a Carribean style meal to celebrate their 10th Wedding Anniversary. We sat out on their deck with fruit punch (no rum this time!) until the rains descended once more.