Six on Saturday - “Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle" Barbara Winkler

“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle … a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream.”  — Barbara Winkler

It’s been bright and cold but that’s much better than dull and damp. I scour the garden for signs of life and I am reminded what bloomed in the garden last year.

No exciting offerings here, but they gladden my heart. 

Winter Jasmine continues to brighten up the entrance.

The first Bellis flower which promises more to follow.

Calendula grown from seed.  Lots more seedlings in the wings awaiting the warmer weather

Polyanthus also grown from seed a long time ago

The variegated Vinca Major has clambered up the fence

The Abelia is a good doer and has been flowering since July

 Bring it on!

The Propagator generously hosts Six on Saturday.  Click on the link to his blog to see what he and his followers are growing and doing in their gardens this week.  Perhaps you feel you could add your own six too.

Thanks also to the contributors who have cheered up the bleak winter for me.

New Year or more of the same?

 

New Year or more of the same?  Whatever, hope it’s a happy and healthy new year for you.

The shortest day has passed and there are fresh buds and snowdrops showing, which always bring me joy.

The Bank Holiday saw us off to Lytham, St. Anne’s and Blackpool with our flask, sarnies and puppy.  Although very cold with a bracing wind, the sun shone briefly, it was dry and we had the roads and the resorts to ourselves.

We visited Crowther Park in Lytham

 

St Anne's

..... and Blackpool where the illuminations were rather bland as businesses and trams usually add to the atmosphere but we did have the Golden Mile to ourselves.

How did you celebrate?

The Season of Giving

 

This story is in response to the regular call for shared storytelling  on the blog https://isawlightningfall.blogspot.com/in 100 words for advent from Loren Eaton.

The blog is described “as a place for people who like stories in general and genre fiction in particular. It's a place for folks who prefer to read and write fantasy and horror, science fiction and crime fiction”.

So here is my 100 word story:

Sarah wasn’t feeling festive.  Seemingly nor were the other shoppers although masks made facial expressions inscrutable.  Toiletry gift sets for those who could well afford such items with their weekly shop seemed superfluous. Worn out and dispirited, Sarah purchased a coffee to go when she noticed a young woman huddled in the doorway of a closed-down shop.  Impulsively she bent down to offer her the drink and saw, there in the blankets, an ashen-faced baby. Although exhausted, Sarah dashed to buy baby food, wipes and nappies, returned to the doorway only to find it abandoned except for a baby doll.   

To read more stories, check out I Saw Lightning Fall

My short story in SevenDays magazine

 

I’m delighted to report that my short story “Coasting Along” has been published in Issue 4 of SevenDays magazine.  This will be my first story to appear in a mainstream UK publication.

Seven Days is the first new weekly UK magazine to be published for many years.   In addition to two pieces of fiction per week, there are puzzles, recipes, lifestyle articles and celebrity interviews. 

Such a thrill to see the magazine in the supermarket while doing the weekly shop! 

End of the Season 2021

Well, that went quickly! We spent an enjoyable week at the coast before closing up for the winter. The weather was agreeable and we did what we do best: reading, eating, walking, and sleeping. 

Local walk on beach and over the cliffs

 Picnic on the slipway in Hull.  Ships would be brought into
the slipway from the Humber for repairs

 Recently renovated Bathing
Pool at Burton Constable

Side view of Burton Constable Hall with the Orangery on the
left. 

 Burton Constable all decked out

                                                                       for Halloween
 

 Filey's beautiful beach

 Sewerby Hall and Gardens:  Someone needs to go to Specsavers

 The walled garden at Sewerby  Hall with a spooky theme

The break was a real de-stresser until we set off for home, laden with puppy and laundry, when the car broke down five miles into our journey necessitating being brought home in a rescue truck.

Annual Visit to Northumberland 2021

 Each year we like to visit old haunts and find new places.  This year we had our new puppy with us so had to think ahead. 

First stop was at South Park, Darlington.

Pristine bowling green

Riverside walk

Huge duck pond with three islands 

We arrived at the dog friendly Schooner Inn at Amble, an old pub perfectly located between sea and park. Amble is a former mining town which once had railway links to the Northumberland coalfields making the town a centre for the sea transport and export of coal. The former station is now a private dwelling and the industrial workings are now Paddlers Park. It still has a working harbour and a marina.  Over the decades, we have seen it grow into a popular tourist resort.  

The pub was an old building and I found that Thomas Weir Innkeeper 1881 was mentioned here Amble Inns, Pubs and Drinking Establishments of the 19th Century. (fusilier.co.uk)

A new spot we found was Low Hauxley beach which is reached through the sand dunes.  Dolphins could be spotted just off the coast as could the bird reserve Coquet Island.

On to Alnmouth where we found the lovely, dog friendly Village Tearooms. Walking across the beach we saw a camera crew filming Kate Humble who was standing by a sand drawing but didn’t get too close in case the puppy spoiled the installation!

On to Seahouses for lunch.  We ate our sandwiches by the harbour where benches are arranged like a theatre.

The weather was glorious and the village of Bamborough with its beautiful beach was heaving with tourists so we gave it a miss this time.  We drove to Budle Bay but the tide was in so no birds to spot.  We did see many formations of geese coming back from Russia.  They are very vocal.

On the way back to the hotel, we found a new beach by taking a narrow road just before the bridge at Warkworth.

On our return journey we stopped at Newbiggin by the Sea, well known for its sculpture “Couple" by Sean Henry. This large (12.25 x 21 x 6 metre) sculpture was installed on 17th August 2007 with a smaller sculpture, "Land Couple", looking out at the larger couple out at sea installed on land in November 2007.

The large sculpture and students doing fieldwork

 

 

 

 

The Land Couple

There is a lot of history here. It was Northumberland's favourite seaside town in the Victorian era. In 1869, there were 142 cobles (fishing boats) in Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. Newbiggin Colliery was opened in 1908, closing in 1967, but at its peak in 1940, 1,400 men were employed there.

Newbiggin by the Sea Mechanics Institute, Northumberland founded Aug 1891. On the premises were reading, smoking, games and billiard rooms. It also housed a public library established by a Miss Fraser with 2,000 books.

On our way home we stopped at Barnes Park, Sunderland for a picnic lunch.

We always enjoy our visits to Northumberland and have experienced flood, snow and gales.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves again this year; the wonderful weather and a well behaved puppy being the icing on the cake.