A change is as good as a rest...

Hello lovelies! How are you all? Autumn is most definitely here. I love autumn. I love how the trees change colour and I enjoy walking through scrunchy autumn leaves. I don't like the long dark evenings and the darker mornings, but like all of our seasons here in the UK there are pros and cons. I don't like winter very much at all. It goes on for too long!

I took this on a walk through the nearby village of Biddenham.

Here are some OOTD photos

I bought both the brown jeans (Ralph Lauren) and brown patterned blouse from the 1.00 rail in the Red Cross. The blouse is from the 1990s, I think. 

The green top is by Principles. Brogues from the Tesco outlet store. The necklace was a Christmas present some years ago.

I walked with my walking group on Wednesday 27th. We walked in Maulden Woods (6.3 miles) just off the A6 in Clophill and parked in the lay-by called 'Deadman's Hill. It's called this because in 1961 James Hanratty shot Michael Gregston and his lover, Valerie Storrie, here. Gregston died and Storrie was left paralysed. Hanratty was hung at Bedford Gaol in 1962 for the murder. Despite the grisly association it was a beautiful walk and was a crisp, sunny day.

This was Saturday 1st October's outfit. Brogues as above. Kimono one of the four bought in Ireland this summer in a charity shop in Donegal. Black top charity shopped; black jeans from Lidl.

Scarf and all jewellery charity shopped.

I also walked on Saturday with the group. We walked 6.5 miles around the village of Great Staughton in Cambridgeshire to Perry and Grafham Water and back. I spied this sign on a lovely old house and it made me laugh.

I had walked two shorter walks on Thursday and Friday (3.3 and 4.2 miles), just around the local area which brought my weekly total to 20 miles.

I wore the same jeans on Sunday with Anthology (not Anthroplogy as I first read it) tunic bought in a Donegal charity shop. Country Casuals jacket also charity shopped but can't remember where...brogues as before.

All jewellery charity shopped.

For a change I wore brown lipstick all week - did you notice? They say a change is as good as a rest!

I love my red lippy and have worn it since I was a teenager. Just to show you here's a picture of me aged 40 with a group of friends (that's my best friend Ann sitting next to me on the left) on a night out in 1994, wearing red lippy. I like this picture of me because my fingers look quite long and slim in it; I  actually have short stumpy fingers and now I have arthritis in them it doesn't help their appearance!

The Red Cross shop will be closing the weekend on 21st October.  They will have three days to clear the stock and then the Red Cross needs three weeks to restore the shop to its previous state. That means by the time you're reading this I will only have one more day there...I will miss it very much not only as a volunteer but also as a customer. However, I will enjoy the time it frees up.

Everything charity shopped. I bought the scarf on a Stevenage chazza rummage; the trousers are from the 1.00 rail at the Red Cross. They tie at the ankles but it's not very clear in the photo.  Country Casuals jacket as before. Yellow top charity shopped; can't remember where. Yellow shoes; Donegal charity shop. 

All jewellery charity shopped except earrings which are from Bedford Market. See what I mean by short, stumpy fingers?

I wore this on Tuesday 4th October to the food bank and library volunteering. The camouflage top (my first cold shoulder one; I'm always late to the party!) was bought at the Bedford Guild House the last time I was there. All the summer clothes were marked down to half price so I had to snap this up; reduced to 1.25! Leggings from M & S; brogues from Tesco but charity shopped. Headscarf charity shopped.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I'm taking my middle grandson away in half term. I've booked us 5 days in Corfu. I've never been to Greece before and it won't be too hot. There's a water park (grandson's top priority!) nearby and I'm looking forward to exploring the old town. I need to do more research about the area. Anyway, it means I've not put my summer wardrobe away yet although the weather is definitely cooler. I've selected almost all my outfits for the 4 nights 5 days holiday and will then switch it over on my return. I think I can manage another couple of weeks with summer clothing supplemented by jumpers, cardigans, leggings etc.

I didn't walk with the group on 5th October. I wanted to but I had to wait at my daughter's for the washing machine repairman to call. He came by 1.30 and was finished quickly so I went to see my best friend, Ann. It was a bit cool for what I was wearing; I would have been better off wearing a cardigan rather than this 1.00 rail kimono which I hadn't yet worn. No, it wasn't one of the four I bought in Donegal...

Everything is charity shopped except the shoes. The top was from the Red Cross 1.99; can't remember where I got the trousers from. I'm taking the white linen top (minus the tea stain!) to Greece with me to wear over loose trousers. I'll travel in white jeans, a top and a jean jacket and I'm bringing two maxi dresses; I'll wear one  with a cardigan and one with a light linen jacket. I'll  travel back in white jeans with a different top.

All jewellery charity shopped.

I walked by myself on Thursday (6.7) miles and on Friday 6th October I met a friend from the food bank and we went walking together. We walked a walk I had led for the Ramblers previously of 7.4 miles. We finished with tea and cake in the cafe in the park which is always a great way to finish a walk. It was a lovely sunny day and we both enjoyed ourselves. We've arranged to do it again in 3 weeks and next time Lynne will take me for a walk around Cardington.

The only downside to the walk was that on the last stretch of the walk the sole of my boot parted company from the upper! I though OH might be able to repair it for me but he said it was irreparable. I had no spare pair so went online and ordered a cheap pair which also had free delivery. I had planned to ask for new walking boots for Christmas so the cheap pair can become the spare pair. It's always a good idea to have two pairs because it can sometimes take ages for one pair of boots to dry out if they've got soaked.

Trousers and green top Primarni retail. Everything else charity shopped.

On Saturday 7th I realised it had been three weeks since I last went out for a rummage and as I'm busy next Saturday and away the weekend after it had to be 7th. I went to Newport Pagnell where I haven't been for some time. I did pretty well! I bought BNWT New Look black Chelsea boots for 6.00 - I love Chelsea boots. A warm, fringed beige and black patterned sleeveless kimono/cardigan for 3.00. I also bought a pair of tiny check brown trousers for 50p; a green necklace for 1.00 and yellow and black beads for 1.50.  I stopped in the Barnardo's in Ampthill  on the way back and bought the black and grey Mary Jane's above, (Clarks); a pink and silver identical pair and a sling back flat shoe. All for 1.99 each. Didn't I do well?

On Sunday I went walking through the nearby village of Biddenham. I walked 6.3 miles; my weekly total for last week was 20 miles. I aim to walk between 20 and 21 miles per week spread over a maximum of 3 to 4 days. So far, I'm achieving my weekly goal.

Whilst out walking I spotted these:

I think this is meant to be a peacock judging by the length of the (straw) tail.

This is clearly a fox.

I often see these additions to thatched roofs; I don't know what they're called or if they even have a special name, but the best I've ever seen are the dancing/boxing hares. See here.
It seems that you can buy the straw animal additions; I've asked Professor Google. And there I was thinking the thatcher made them! Maybe some do. I do know that thatching is one of those craft trades that is at risk of disappearing as there are few thatchers left and not many youngsters want  apprenticeships in the trade.

This what I wore today. Everything charity shopped. The trousers are off to the charity shop bag; they don't fit properly around the waist so I end up with a saggy crotch; nor do they fit around the lower leg either; yellow shirt from Dunne's Stores, charity shopped in Donegal as were the yellow shoes.

I've got a busy week ahead;  I volunteered on Monday and Tuesday; I'm walking on Wednesday and going out for a drink and a catch up with Ann in the evening. On Thursday evening I'm going to the cinema with OH to see 'Bladerunner'.  I haven't been to the cinema in years. We have a new cinema in town that's near enough to walk to and from. It opened up over the summer alongside some new (to Bedford) chain restaurants (Zizi's, Wagga Mamma's and  a Steak House) plus a Premier Inn all right by the river. I haven't been to the new area yet; I keep forgetting it's there!

All jewellery charity shopped.

Take care and as I'll be away in Corfu when my next post is due I'll post on the 21st instead...

OOTDs and Edward Bawden

Look - a sunflower! Probably courtesy of one of the birds who feed at my bird feeding station - they dropped a seed and it grew and grew. We used to have a huge sunflower on the other side of this one but after several years it has ceased to bloom. That's okay we have a replacement now.

 A Saturday outfit. All jewellery charity shopped.

This outfit excluding the jewellery cost 7.98 in total!

Trousers from Tesco; 99p rail at Barnardo's in Ampthill; tunic Tesco Outlet 5.00; jacket, 99p rail Age UK, Wellingborough. Pumps; 99p at Barnardo's Great Denham.

Scarf, present from my friend; Natalie.
On Saturday 16th, OH suggested a visit to Emmaeus which is in a village called Carlton about 10 miles from Bedford. Emmaeus is  a UK based charity and community working together to help the homeless. It was originally started by the Abbe Pierre in France but there is a network of shops all over the UK.

 They sell mostly second hand stuff but very little clothing!  Hurray - no temptation for me! We were looking for a stool for the bathroom; our old one broke last week; and a wok and cafetiere to take to the caravan. We found neither cafetiere nor stool, but I did find this gorgeous dressing table set for 1.00. Most women had one of these on their dressing tables when I was growing up in the 1950s and 60s.

I also bought this lovely throw which I'm going to use as a Christmas tablecloth.

It's doubled over and look it has tassels! It was 2.00.

We also bought  an elephant cushion for the caravan; we have two already so this one makes the third; a wok for 5.00, and a a kitchen bin for recycling with a slow close lid for 2.00. Bargains galore at Emmaeus on Saturday.  They do lovely tea and cake, too. Only another month to go before I can have another rummage...

Some OOTD photos.

Friday 15th September outfit. Linen trousers (which for some reason look shiny in these photos) 1.00; Red Cross Shop, Navy blue top 5.00 sale Forever 21; Kimono - (1 of 4 that I bought in Ireland); 3 euros in a Donegal Town charity shop.

Pale pink suede shoes 3 euros in Killybegs charity shop.

All jewellery charity shopped except earrings and watch. I need a haircut...

During the week of 11th September I managed to get some wear out of my linen tunics/dresses. I don't get to wear too much of my summer wear when I'm in Ireland (it's usually too cool) so I was trying to get as much summer wear worn as possible using leggings/cardigans/jackets for warmth. Transitioning, in other words! I wore a vest/camisole under my tops throughout my stay in Ireland and have continued with it since I got back. I'm turning into an old lady...

Deep blue dress/tunic, made in Italy; charity shopped; striped top underneath M&S; charity shopped; orange shoes; charity shopped. Leggings; M & S; charity shopped. My feet are a mess; I have sun burnt patches in the shape of my Mary Jane shoes and where the sun didn't reach, my skin is pale. The end result looks as if I have dirty feet!

All jewellery charity shopped.

Navy blue linen tunic also from Italy charity shopped; top and leggings charity shopped. Shoes from PJ shoes but they've been relegated to the charity shop bag as the red coating is beginning to wear. Look at those white legs...should have put on some fake tan.

All jewellery charity shopped. I was wearing three bangles; two red and one navy, but I took them off to do the washing up and forgot to put them on for the photo!

I've managed to get back into a walking routine. The first week I was back I was walked twice on my own: 6.5 mile walks each time. The week of 11th September I walked three times; I did 10.5 miles trying to recce a new walk and got lost - so what's new? Then a 6.4 mile walk and on Sunday 17th bright and early I did 4.1 miles making a total of 21 for that week. The week beginning the 18th I did my first walk with the group in about 2.5 months. It was good to meet up with everyone again. We walked 7.2 miles from Westoning to Harlington; onto Pulloxhill and back again.

We saw these lovely creatures:

Alpacas! They have the cutest faces and were very friendly.

I wore this to the Food bank/library on Tuesday. There were only three of us in at the Food bank so we were busy. The dress was bought for 1.99 in the Red Cross before I went to Ireland; I didn't take it with me because I didn't think the weather would be warm enough, but I had a brainwave and put a top underneath it  (charity shop 1.00 rail) and a pair of green leggings (Sainsburys retail). Shoes are from PJ shoes. Scarf charity shopped. These dresses were being sold on Bedford market in a range of colours for 15.00 each back in June.

Shiny!
All jewellery charity shopped.

I had a dental appointment on Thursday 21st and finally managed to get to the Edward Bawden exhibition at the Cecil Higgins  Gallery in Bedford.

Everything is charity shopped except the shoes which were bought at the Tesco outlet shop. The kimono is one of the 4 (!) I bought in Ireland.

Have you noticed I've changed where I take my photos? I was bored with the sitting room as a backdrop so changed it to the hallway. Did you spot a basket sitting on the stairs? It's a special stair basket designed in a step shape. The idea is you put the things that need to go upstairs in it and take it upstairs all together.   I'm the only one who bothers! I bought it ages ago in a charity shop for 4.00 but can't remember which one.

I bought this necklace at a car boot sale about 10 years ago for 50p. Earrings donated by my daughter.

Now to the exhibition:
During the years 1981 to 1989, Edward Bawden donated the contents of his studio to Cecil Higgins Art Gallery. This collection of over 3000 items covers his entire oeuvre, from his early student days at the Cambridge School of Art in 1919, to commissions from the Folio Society in the 1980s, and includes a series of linocuts based on commissioned work, and printed specifically for Cecil Higgins Art Gallery. The association between Bawden and Cecil Higgins Art Gallery began in 1977, when he was commissioned to design a tapestry to celebrate the tercentenary of the publication of Bunyan’s 'The Pilgrim’s Progress', and Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. For source see here

This had pride of place in the exhibition

The Edward Bawden (1903 - 1989) exhibition was very small but very interesting. What a prolific artist he was.
From posters for the tube...

Designing dinner services for Wedgewood to be used on cruise ships

Linocuts

Film posters

I didn't spend as long as I would have liked at the exhibition as I had to get back for middle grandson who was coming for dinner but I will visit the exhibition again; there's plenty of time as the exhibition doesn't finish until January 2018.

I finally got my hair cut on Friday and walked 5.5 miles I walked with a different group on Saturday and did 7.4 miles making my total for this week 21 miles.

On Sunday I went to see my son. Everything charity shopped. Top by East; white jeans unknown label; Navy loafers by Next BNWT, 5.00 last summer.

All jewellery charity shopped. I bought the necklace for 3.00 in the week from Cancer Research. I'm not buying clothes but if I spot a nice bit of jewellery I'm not going to pass it by now am I? I only popped in to say hello to the lady I used volunteer with at Save the Children. She now volunteers at Cancer Research and I'm at the Red Cross - but only until the end of October.

On the way back from visiting my son we stopped to take a photo of this house (just outside Newmarket) with the dancing/boxing hares on the roof! I've seen pheasants, cockerels, foxes and even a duck made of straw on a thatched roof but this is the first time I've seen dancing/boxing hares. Aren't they fabulous?

I have another cultural event lined up for early October. Through reading 'Jane's London' blog here I found out that there are a series of literary walks around London. Two of my favourite things combined; books and walking! I have to choose which event to go to and it will probably be a Thursday so I'll tell you more about that in my next post.

Sunday and Monday were lovely warm sunny days. This is what I wore to the Red Cross on Monday. I had a cardigan underneath but had to take it off as it was too warm. The tights were fine and didn't feel too warm; they were 60 denier which isn't very thick.

Skirt from Old Navy; charity shopped for 99p at Barnardo's. It's gone into the charity shop bag - it's not me. Shirt; 1.00 rail at Red Cross. Denim jacket; Dorothy Perkins; charity shopped years ago; Navy loafers as per Sunday's outfit.

Beads charity shopped; earrings from Sainsbury's.

This is what I wore to the Guild House and library on Tuesday. I bought the dress on the 99p rail in Barnardo's in June and put it away for transitional weather wear. The black top worn underneath is from Primarni retail. Shoes and jewellery charity shopped.

I've just had a lovely girl from IPSOS on the phone doing a survey about use of media. I was able to say quite truthfully that I spend less than 30 mins a day on my laptop and phone apps. I couldn't have said that a fortnight ago...

Things are different...

I'm now well and truly back to my 'normal' life and it prompted me to think about some differences that I noticed between here and Ireland and to tell you about some differences I am making in my life...
First, it gets darker later in Donegal. When I first arrived in early July it wasn't getting dark until 11pm; then 10pm and the week we left it was dark by 9pm. I notice it's dark here by 8pm.

This is known as a boreen in Ireland - a little narrow country road often with grass growing up the middle of it!

The second thing is the difference in the country side between here and Ireland. Of course, there are similarities, too. The fields in Ireland seem larger but I think this is due to the lack of hedgerows dividing the fields. I don't think Ireland was affected by the Enclosures Act of the eighteenth century in the same way as England was. Some fields in Ireland have dry stone walls as enclosures and some have wire fences but mostly there seems to be little in the way of hedgerows except those that abut the roads.

 And that brings me to the next difference. Whilst the hedgerows by the roads are in many cases very similar to those here; what is beautiful and different about the ones in Ireland is that frequently they are made up of Fuchsia bushes (see above and below). Also in Donegal, in August,  orange Monbretia/Crocosmia flowers are everywhere in the hedgerows, and I do mean everywhere.

Montbretia/Crocosmia

Purple loosesrife

And then still on the subject of hedgerows; add in the Purple Loose strife that flowers everywhere too, and the hedgerows are an absolute riot of colour; fuchsia pink, bright orange and purple; like a 1960s psychedelic dress! Groovy hedges baby!

Interestingly, fuchsia originates from China and Monbretia from South Africa so I am assuming that these were originally garden plants that became wild and then rampant in Ireland.

There are many, many other wildflowers in the hedgerows and one of the things I did was to photograph them and try to identify them using a wildflower book. I did have a lot of time on my hands and I do like to learn new things. It's good for the ageing brain...

While I was in Ireland I did, of course, go charity shopping and in a variety of places. I went to Donegal town, Killybegs, Ballyboffy, Stranorlar, Sligo, Strabane, Derry, Castle Island and Tralee in  Co.Kerry. I was trying to be restrained as to what I bought as I have lots and lots of clothes already, but here's the list of what I bought while I was there:

A black linen Gudrun Sjoden coat for 6.00 euros. My best bargain!

Three tunics - 1 Anthropologie and 1 other seen in previous post and 1 pictured below

Two pairs of trousers - 1 of which I left in the caravan

3 pairs of shoes; I pink, 1 yellow and 1 patterned - the patterned ones were 1.00 euro in the St Vincent De Paul in Donegal town. The other two were 3.00 euros in the Killybegs charity shop.

1 plain black shirt -  Jumble sale 1.00 euro - I needed this!

I handbag - Jumble sale - 1.00 euro

1 green patterned dress - Animal charity shop in Donegal;  3.00 euros.

A silver matching dress and coat - £8.00 in St. Vincent De Paul, Strabane.

I night dress

1 pair of summer PJs

4 kimonos (Yes, I'm afraid I bought 4)

A couple of necklaces; 3 brooches at a car boot sale and a couple of bangles

I expect you're saying if that's how she shows restraint what does non restraint look like!!

This is was what I wore on Monday to the Red Cross.

The tunic is one of the two I bought in Ireland in a Donegal charity shop for 3.00 euros. The trousers and top underneath the tunic are charity shopped; trousers by Oasis and top by Primarni. Shoes from PJ shoes in Kempston now on their third year of wear...

Now the weather has turned cooler it was a good opportunity to wear the red sleeveless jacket that my cousin Linda bought me in April - from a charity shop of course!

All jewellery charity shopped except earrings; present from grandson's mum and watch; Christmas present

When I began to unpack from my stay in Ireland, I was quite horrified at how many clothes I do have and here I was adding more with my purchases from Ireland. I did clear out quite a few items and as I transition my wardrobe over to more autumnal (read warmer) clothes; I will be clearing out more. But I am definitely going to reduce what I buy. I know I have said this several times before but I am determined this time. Another difference! I will no longer go to charity shops on a weekly basis as I have been doing although it doesn't help when you volunteer in two charity shops...I was very good on Monday and only bought one dress and it wasn't even for me! I shall go for a rummage about once a month with OH and will buy only what is an absolute bargain or what I absolutely love. Watch this space...

I will put what I would have spent in the charity shops towards more cultural things. I'm determined to make more use of my National railcard (one third off) and go to more exhibitions, museums and art galleries in London. I want to go to the theatre more often and I want to go to more live gigs. This week I  am making a start as I am going to a local exhibition of Edward Bawden's work; 'Bawden by the Sea' on Thursday.

Tuesday's outfit  worn to the Guild House - everything charity shopped.

I bought the cardigan at the Red Cross for £1.00. The gold pumps were 99p in Barnardo's in Great Denham. Can't remember where I got the tunic and trousers from.

All jewellery charity shop except earrings donated by my daughter and the watch.

This leads quite nicely into the volunteering developments or more accurately difference I mentioned in my previous post.

 I found out last week that the Red Cross shop in Bedford is to close; probably at the end of October when the lease is up. Once again the raised cost of rents is proving to be unaffordable; on top of that there have been problems with the premises for several years. Flooding, leaks, electrical issues and flooring problems; the repair bills have been huge. I shall have to move on. Only this time I've decided I won't look for a replacement charity shop but just continue with my other volunteering activities on a Tuesday and leave Mondays for the school run and after school care for my youngest grandson.  Then this Tuesday I found out that my colleague at the Guild House will be leaving at Christmas and I've decided I will as well. There isn't that much to do there; the shop  only opens on a Saturday and I do quite a lot of ironing when I'm there on alternate Tuesdays which I won't miss at all!

I've had two weeks of volunteering at our local library shelving books which I've enjoyed. I've also answered quite a few queries from the public which is very satisfying.  I shall stick with volunteering at the library every Tuesday afternoon and the food bank on alternate Tuesday mornings and spend the extra time I will have from not volunteering in the charity shops doing more reading, walking and crocheting.

I got a lot of crocheting done in Ireland.

There are 100 hexagons like this needing the tails sewn in, then they have to be sewn together and a border made.

I started and finished this V stitch blanket. Hilary helped me sew the tails in on this one.

I finished this Lazy Waves blanket but now I still have sew all the tails in...

This was my first 'Knit for Peace' blanket finished earlier this year.

The final difference is that I've decided to blog less often. I've been blogging for almost two years now. I love it and love reading your blogs, but oh my goodness it's time consuming! I am spending an awful lot of time on the laptop which means I read less than I like - I read 25 books when I was in Ireland. I also have to rely on OH to take photos and it's usually quite late in the day when that happens. The ideal time would be in the morning when I am dressed and made up but OH is usually long gone by then! Weekend photos will be fine and I may ask for a tripod for Christmas so I can take my own photos when I want. I am planning to post about twice a month rather than weekly. So after this post you won't hear from me for about a fortnight but I'll do my best to keep up with your blogs and comment when I can.