England in 12.

Before I launch into a concerted effort to address my travel destinations on this blog I thought I would pick out 12 of my favourite photos taken over the past year in England. They are mainly local with a few others thrown in. The shots capture for me the things I love about being on this funny little island and especially living in a village.

In no particular order...

Village - first snow

Village - more snow 

St. Ives, Devon - April 

Village - Spring

A robin in Devon - April 

Autumn 

Chelsea - November

Village - November

Village - Autumn 

Village - December

Village postbox - December

My little friend.

Friday Flower.

Finally fresh flowers in the supermarket...last week was slim pickings being straight after Christmas and all. Today I found some lovely creamy white roses...nice and fresh...

These are for my sis Jan who is holding down the fort at home...looking after our elderly mother and my two older children. She is fiercely protective of my kids and I know that they are in safe hands should they need help whilst I'm on the other side of the world.

She's been a bit "off" this week, and some might say that's nothing unusual...no really she's had a bad back as she's "getting on" a bit! However, apparently after a glass of wine or 3 she is now feeling a million dollars...or nearly!

Cabbages and Roses.

Today I received a gorgeous parcel from Cabbages and Roses. As well as beautiful homewares and soft furnishings this lovely company also has a clothing range, which is a little unique...and as they were on sale...

I recently visited the new Cabbages and Roses store in London...it's small but cute...

with an impressive facade...

a lovely warm and inviting interior...

where you want to just curl up on a chair by the fire and watch the world go by...

Last summer, I visited the Cabbages and Roses store in Chelsea...

where it was quite a different story...

lovely and light with painted boards...

lots of old wood...

and gal...

and great vintage bits and bobs...

I also have a couple of Christina Strutt's books. She is the creator of Cabbages and Roses and through her books shows the possibilities in regard to craft and decorating, with her fabrics and furnishings.

"At Home with Country" cleverly displays many of her products in real homes. There may only be one Cabbages and Roses cushion in the room but it will be shown off to great advantage proving that the range can fit into more than a 'country' decor. Of course the 'country' style decor is divine, with Christina's home prominently displayed at the beginning of the book....you will just want to visit with her!

There's a lovely black toile cushion that I am lusting after at the moment...also one in natural meggernie in black, with the matching table cloth and napkins....

Lounging around.

I spent the first couple of days of the new year just lounging around...feet up...

watching t.v....lurking around various blogs...

reading interior books and mags...

I wasn't 'lounging' on my new present...rather I was admiring it 

from the other side of the room....

 

I did tidy up the window ledge of all the Christmas paraphernalia...

and thought briefly about taking down the tree...

but then Harrison Ford was on telly in 'Patriot Games'...

but I did eventually get up off my chair to get the camera to take a shot 

or two before the tree goes out the door...

and all the decorations are wrapped up and put away 

until next year later this year!

Happy New Year.

Well another year has dawned and words from a song keep ringing in my head..

time keeps on slippin...slippin...slippin into the future....

Happy New Year!
Robx

A Flower for Lesley.

Here it is Leso, a Friday flower for you...

cause you're always as fresh as a daisy...

especially after a night on the champas!

Have a great new year and give Marko and Nemo a big kiss for me!

The Remains of the Day.

Well Christmas is over and a long bleak January stretches ahead. I'm finding myself in my usual post Christmas mode wanting to put away all the Chrissy decorations, spring clean and create something new and fantastic in the way of decor...which means of course shopping. I haven't hit an antique shop/show for ages and am champing at the bit to go prowling for some junk!

So in the meantime I've popped some shots on of our very snowy Christmas...

Tobogganing...

Getting ready....

Off she goes!

A little snow angel!

Even I had a go!

I had to wear my ear muffs.

Of course when you are a 15 year old boy you have to go 'head first'!

Around the house the snow and ice made itself known...

with amazing icicles...

Inside, looking out was a delight...

And all around us the village was magical...

And before I put them all away here are some shots of some new baubles for the Christmas tree which I am collecting here in Europe....

From Oxford.

Waddesdon Manor.

Liberty of London.

Rothenburg, Germany.

Can't quite remember...