Sunday 16 November 2014

catch up




Phew...it's hectic here, and beautiful, and fun and hard work; even though most of it's being done by others.

However much I scrub my nails or wash my hands there always seems to be a greyish tinge to them. No matter how many times I shampoo my hair, I can still feel the grit of childhood holidays in the little wooden cabin on the sand-dunes of Talacre, where everything was powdered with a generous dusting of white sand. 

Maybe it's just in my head like Lady McBeth's "dam spot".

The kitchen ceiling is a spaghetti junction of cables dangling overhead, we still have no central heating and it takes a week for washing to dry. But I am in my element here, and bit-by-bit things are coming together. 

We painted the front door F & B Hague Blue. At first, mildly shocked at the turquoise tinge to the liquid in the tin (nothing like on the shade card). Relieved when a second coat mellowed to a more subtle petrol blue and now that it's finally hanged in place sealing all the draughty holes, it's kindled a warm smile to the old stone wall. 

We accepted a Bonfire/Anniversary supper invitation, and had a fun evening with bubbly and amazing food next door. It was good to get to know more neighbours. 

I was rescued again, and taken to this amazing market where we bought delicious Alex Gooch bread and had breakfast here

We crossed the borders once more traversing the Brecon Beacons National Park. A coliadascope (whoops) kaleidoscope of changing colours...orange, rust, green, sage...Epic scenery. The photos don't do justice. I was too busy 'oohing' and 'aahing' as we drove through the misty weather to look down and reach for the camera until  the best bits had whizzed by. I wanted to paint it, or knit it and probably will do so at some time. Once in the capital Cardiff, we met up with H and friends. Ate Lebanese food here and then watched her friend perform in this opera here, extremely impressed at the amazing big voice and stage presence that we never imagined belonged to her childhood friend. 

We had an unexpected visit from the man that had sheltered with us. He arrived with his girl friend and father, bearing a scrumptious hamper of local produce that we've been guzzling ever since.

In-between we've visited auctions and bid on bargains, loosing some things, but winning others. Painted and plumped, cooked and eaten more sandwiches than you can imagine and forged more friendships that will hopefully last a long, long time...

How about you...I've missed you...what have you been up to? 
debx

14 comments:

  1. Love your blogs!! Do we get to see your front door please?? Juxxx

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    1. Hi Jules...just realised who you are. Thanks so much for coming over and commenting. Yes I will definitely post some photos. It's just all a bit dusty and manic at the moment.
      debx

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  2. Oh, such beautiful pictures as always--and your beautiful dishes on display again...that's something, right?

    I *always* second guess my paint color choices once they are up, then they settle in over time! It's never quite what I envision, but then: that's how life is, yes?

    Here--as you saw (thanks for visiting!) it's all about grading and meetings and mid-to-late semester madness. This too shall pass. Whenever I think that this is "way worse than usual", my dear husband who's been with me for two decades reminds me that "No, it's always like this at some point. You'll get through." (At that point, I'm not sure whether to kiss him or kill him.)

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    1. This one was particularly unusual in how different from the shade cards and website, even the painted blocks in the store but thankfully it works really well with the stone walls.

      I hope the thanksgiving and Christmas holidays give you some peace soon. Take care of yourself.
      debx

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  3. i do hope those low drawers went home with you!!!!! i.love.them!!!! (they definitely would have come home with ME!!) and your street markets are still going strong? how lucky you are....ours have closed for the winter....making me rather sad.
    was that a little peek at your front door, leaning before being hung???

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    1. They are lovely aren't they Steph, but badly overprice almost £400. But we found an amazing place today, very close by with a lovely owner and we've bought an old kitchen cupboard that I think is oak, a pine chest of drawers, an old radiator and lampshade, a mid-century coffee set. For less than half that for everything. Our markets seem to thrive all year with even more around Christmas time.We are very lucky.
      That is the door, I must take some photographs now that it's in place.
      Have a lovely weekend,
      debx

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  4. Hectic, but filled with joy and beautiful sites Debby. England is so pretty and I love seeing your countryside. It's nice that you are making so many wonderful friends and getting settled into your forever home. I love, love your door and am thinking I might paint mine the same color. Right now my door is red, but I think it's time for a change.
    I am looking forward to seeing more next time you post.

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    1. We are really pleased with the colour Tracey even though it's not quite what we expected it really livens up the old stone walls. Thanks.
      Take care,
      debx

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  5. I love how happy you are! happy busy and full, as it should be. Thanks for the update and just know you will have more time when your house is set up the way you like and the renovations are complete :)

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    1. It's all coming together now Karen. We have builders or carpenters either in the house or working outside every day of the week, even weekends at the moment. It's full on but hopefully the major jobs will be over before Christmas.
      debx

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  6. Love the photos. You sound busy busy busy. Love the Brecon beacons spent a lot of my youth walking across them.

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    1. That's interesting. They are beautiful. We only drove through them on our way to Cardiff but we are determined to go and like you spend time walking there.
      debx

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  7. Thank you for the little "trip" to the Brecon Beacons. What a beautiful place!!!
    I love the little tid bits we get of your renovations...would love to see your blue door! :)

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    1. The photos really don't do justice to how beautiful they are Emily as the mist came down as I took them. Hopefully I'll get some better ones in the future...Oh and one of the front door too. We've had lots of nice comments from neighbours about it.
      Take care,
      cebx

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