Black Country Pastimes

Inspired by Peaky Blinders we headed off to the Black Country Living Museum near Dudley. A real trip to the past. A learning experience for some a trip down memory lane for those of us who remember those times.

We were greeted by a working model of Newcomens steam engine, belching out smoke as it drove the great wooden nodding donkey cross beam.

Shivers down the spine from the sight and smell of the old school rooms. Images of blackened fingers from being ink monitor.









Don't just remember the shop. Remember the tin bath in front of the fire!



The museum also has a good collection of vintage vehicles

Trolley buses and trams still run through the grounds.

The highlight, though, was a walk through the canal side iron works used as the set on Peaky Blinders followed by the most amazin narrow boat trip, c/o the Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust, through part of the extensive tunnels and caverns of the old limestone works - some of which contain spectacular light shows.

and what better than finishing off with a jar in a CAMERA supported Black Country pub :-)

for more pics catch Marion's blog 

Sun, sea n sangria

Sis managed to sneak an autumnal hol. We started with a gentle stroll round one of our favourite Gloucestershire Gardens @ Highnam Court

I'm the queen of the castle

Then off to the Algarve, sadly leaving Marilyn n Marion behind as they were previously engaged :'-( Felt like going from Autumn back into summer. Stayed in Albufiera at the amazin Natura complex. Really well placed, especially if your on foot, next to two wonderful beaches, the 'Strip' and a land trains ride away from the old town. The Strip and surround was alive with Scots n Irish footie fans - Scotland were due to play Gibraltar, up the road, in the Cup.

Went on a boat trip the length of the Algarve coast. All was fine until we precariously transferred into life jackets onto a small accompanying launch to head in toward some coves containing inlets and caves. Jean thoroughly enjoyed the experience - 'fraid I suffered mal de mer :-/ - held it in, just! 

On the penultimate day, after a much delayed start - firm working on 'Portuguese' time and jungle telegraph - visited the 'Sand City'. Changes themes each year, this year it was celebrating music.

Frank Zappa

Bob Marley + Wailers

Janice Joplin

Jean cools off her sunburnt legs :)

Sadly all good things come to an end. Those lovely people @ Yellowfish Taxis transferred us safely back to Faro and we jetted back into Brit Autumn - so till the next time - 

cheers me dears

Lower Hope a little gem

Set in the Herefordshire countryside this garden is simply full of interest containing, as it does, herbaceous borders, rose walks and gardens, laburnum tunnel, Mediterranean garden, Italian garden, Japanese garden, bog gardens. Lime tree walk, lake landscaped with wild flowers, streams, ponds conservatories and large glasshouse created around a converted oast house.

a beautiful 'shorts' day

and as if that were not enough the garden was sprinkled with wonderful sculptures

Westbury Court Garden

This was the National Trusts first major garden restoration project and is one of Britain's best examples of a formal Dutch water garden. First established in the time of William and Mary - laid out between 1696 and 1715. In the C18 many similar gardens were destroyed by Capability Browns English Landscape movement but Westbury Court survived.

Whilst autumn creeps slowly round the corner there is still plenty of colour, plants and veg in the gardens.

Also of interest -

Wild bees hiving inside a tree

and an oak tree at least 400 year old

Super Moon Super Eclipse

super moon arrives over Howard Street

Full Lunar Eclipse

The Birthday Continues ...

At the end of a week that saw Marilyn's birthday, together again with Marion, we all went out and celebrated...

 ... starting with a pre performance meal at the Bistro in Malvern Theatre:

... then on to Terrence Rattigan's 'Flair Path'

Next day, Sunday, was a fine and slightly autumnal day so Marilyn and I set off down a hither to untrodden walk round a section of the Severn Path and Sharpness Canal , a circular route round Riversmead Farm.

autumn colours abound

beats a 'Keep Out' sign :)

the Edward Elgar on a canal cruise
from Gloucester Docks

Sharpness tow path

a posing damsel

The hedge rows were laden with brambles n wild apples so should be OK for home made bramble jelly well into winter :-p