Wordless Wednesday - Burke's Beach, Hilton Head Island, SC.

Wordless Wednesday

A misty, moisty morning.

So, there we were around 7.30 one morning last week, the Senior Partner and I lying in bed, drinking tea and listening to TMS (Test Match Special) on BBC Radio 4.

It was day three of the Pakistan v England Test Match in Abu Dhabi, England were bowling and Pakistan had a long way to go to catch up.

During a lull, CMJ (Christopher Martin Jenkins) described the scene before him as " a misty, moisty morning". 

He said he thought it was a line from an old fashioned nursery rhyme, one that I had never heard of.

I googled it to find out more as I think it describes exactly the view that I had through the window this morning.

One misty, moisty, morning,

When cloudy was the weather,

There I met an old man

All clothed in leather

All clothed in leather,

With a cap under his chin.

How do you do?

And how do you do?

And how do you do again?

By the way, in case it interests you, England were 72 all out in their second innings. Shocking!

Linking this misty, moisty post to 

the Tablescapers Seasonal Sundays

 and

 Mary's Mosaic Monday @ the little red house.

Pink Saturday

The opening page of my 2012 scrapbook.

A nostalgic look back at my 4 year old self as a bridesmaid to Joan.

The journaling reads:

Learn from yesterday

Live for today

Hope for tomorrow

Joining Beverley @How Sweet The Sound

for

Pink Saturday

At last week's Pink Saturday gathering I discovered a wonderful blog that I know many of you already follow.

A Scrapbook of Inspiration is a truly scrumptious place 

and Karen has very generously offered to share some of her beautiful designs with us all.

Click here to see them for yourself

What's in a name?

My grandparents Eliza and John William Smith had seven children, three boys and four girls, my dad was the first born and was also christened John William.
As a child they called him Billy, when he grew up he was known always as Bill.
Eliza and JW. Snr named their other two sons Gordon and Harry, then they reverted back to names beginning with the letter J for the girls who were; Joan, June, Jean and Jessie.

Bridesmaids at older brother Gordon's wedding.
L-R June, Jean, Jessie & Joan.
 (the other little bridesmaid was from Mary the bride's) side of the family 

When the first grand child was born (me) Eliza dictated expressed a wish that the J tradition be continued and so I was duly christened Julie Margaret.
However, my mother Eva was also a woman with a strong will and she insisted that everyone call me Margaret.
(4 years later my sister Rhonda was born, no J for her!)
Over the years I've been asked many times "are you Julie or Margaret", it can cause confusion sometimes.

My parents on their wedding day.
Gordon was the best man.

What handsome young men they were.

Gordon, Harry, Joan and Jean all chose not to continue with the J tradition, however June has a daughter, also Julie, and Jessie named her daughter Jane.
After my parents divorced in the early '60's, Dad married Joyce. Another J!
When their daughter was born in 1968 my second sister dodged a bullet too.

This is the first page of the Memory Scrapbook which I created for
Kathryn's 40th birthday.

In my early twenties I decided Margaret was too "old fashioned" and asked everyone to call me Maggie, now only my close family call me by my given name.

Like father, like daughter.
Bill & Maggie or should that be John & Julie?

My dad passed away almost four years ago and we all still miss him very much. 

Joining another J, Miz Jenny, @ off on my tangent 

for this week's

Alphabe-Thursday 

with this very personal tribute to

the letter J.

Hibernating.........................

It's been a damp, cold and drizzly week in Normandy so far, no blue skies, crisp white snow or sunshine for us.

A week for staying indoors mooching around, doing chores, tidying, tweaking the mantle piece, excercising with Wii Fit, baking, and reading - lots of reading.
In 2010 some of you may have participated in food for thought hosted by Jain and may be interested to know that Jain and Mary @ home is where the boat is  are hosting food for thought once more with a list of 22 books to read, share and explore in 2012.
Click here for my review of the first book on the list "The Night Circus" over on my other blog

 just books

If you're in hibernating mood it's the perfect dreamy read for a cold wintry day.

Pink Interlude

What makes a perfect pink interlude?

Book: The Postmistress - Sarah Blake; Tea: Taz - Vanilla Rooibos; Hand knitted pink and white striped mug mat: wonderful gifts from Pondside.

Mug: Cath Kidston.

Joining Beverly @ How Sweet The Sound

for

Pink Saturday

Alphabe-Thursday - H is for Hellens Manor

Joining Jenny @ off on my tangent

for

With a visit to Hellens Manor. Much Marcle.

Hellens Manor and the famous knot garden.

In 1096 Hellens Manor, a beautiful historical house, situated in the lovely Herefordshire village of Much Marcle, became the property of the de Balun family who were witnesses to the signing of the Magna Carta by King John.

In the Spring of 2011 the Senior Partner and I spent an enjoyable afternoon touring the house and gardens.

This door leads into the medieval part of the house.

This post is really all about the photo's that we took that day, with just a little bit of info gleaned from the tour guide and the brochure we were handed as the tour began.

The Stone Hall has a Minstrel's Gallery and a great fireplace which bears the crest of the Black prince.

In the 14th century the house was the property of the Earl Of Gloucester.
His nephew James, a companion to the Black Prince, rented Hellens Manor in exchange for a pair of silver spurs.
He later leased the house to Walter Helyon, who gave his name to the Manor.

The great fireplace in the Stone Hall bears the crest of the Black Prince.

His descendants have lived at Hellens ever since and it has always remained a home and not a museum.

In the 16th century Hetty Walwyn, a daughter of the house, ran away with her lover.
She returned years later, destitute apart from a diamond ring. She was imprisoned in a locked room with iron bars at the windows, for the rest of her life.
She used a small bell as her only means of communication with the rest of the household.
It is believed that she haunts the house, still ringing a bell.

This case contains the family coronet and some items said to have belonged to Anne Boleyn.

The rooms are filled with inherited paintings, furniture and decorations, most are family heirlooms.
Some belonged to Anne Boleyn, Mary Tudor, the Earl of Essex (a favourite of Elizabeth I) and Charles I.

Bloody Mary's chamber.

At great expense to the family a room was prepared for Bloody Mary and her tutor Featherstone, it is also said to be haunted.

In the early part of the 20th century Hellens passed into the hands of Lady Helena Gleichen one of Queen Victoria's neices.
Her decendants, the Munthe family, have created a charitable trust in order to keep the house running.
The richly panelled Music Room, which is used by the family when in residence, has a large stone fireplace, on the mantel above are family photographs.

I hope you've enjoyed my virtual guided tour of Hellens Manor and if you would like to learn more about Hellens then click here to go to the website.