A Grandfather's Bracelet

Granddad Finlay retired to Weedons initially where he had a large tumbling machine that polished stones.  He would gather stones from beaches, particularly Birdling's Flat, polish them and produce all manner of beautiful objects - bracelets, pendants, jewellery boxes, stole covered bottles and more.

This is a bracelet that he gave me when I was a girl and it remains a treasured possession.

The Joys Of Spring

It is the first week of October and Spring is - as the old joke goes - really springing.  The cherry blossoms which line the streets of Southbridge are bursting forth in all their glory.  Below are some photos of the cherry blossom outside our house and some other snapshots from our place.

 

Daffodil Time

Spring brings it's cascade of gorgeous flowers and blossoms, none more lovely than the daffodils. Here's Andrew after paying a visit to the farm stand of the local daffodil growers. 

 

Against All Odds

As I sat at the traffic lights I saw ahead of me amongst a sea of giant trucks and fast cars the little butterfly fluttering obliviously over the top of them all, across the lanes, across the road. I prayed for it's safe passage and wondered what it must be like to go out into the world a fragile butterfly or a delicate bee, going about fearlessly against all the odds.  There's no hesitation, no shrinking back, just a job to do, a moment to live, even though if you think about it there are dangers on every side for these little creatures.

Is there a lesson in there for us all?  They show us there is only one way to live life - and that is bravely. 

Of Hens And Blossoms

Spring has turned dull and grey for several days but we still managed to get a few shots of the pullets and blossoms.

Oregon Joe

Another picture from the past - Oregon Joe out in the paddock in the Spring.

An Early Garden

Looking back through a box of old photos the other day I came across some snapshots I had taken of a garden I had planted around my sleepout when I was in my early twenties some thirty or so years ago.  It amused me to see how well fenced off it was then to keep horses and dogs off it! 

Still I think it had quite a nice cottage garden like effect and I'm surprised by how quickly that ivy had grown up the wire archway which I had placed over the brick path to the door.  Ivy seems to like our place and wild ivy will rapidly grow anywhere it can get a hold, particularly around the old oak tree.