Summer Travels Near and Far

Hello. 

Thank you for visiting Beverley and her daughter D here in this small corner. We do love to know you have stopped by.

This week, I will be taking over while D takes a break. Let me take you back to an earlier time in the summer when my husband and I went on a wonderful cruising holiday around the Aegean, Adriatic, and Ionian seas.

The ship sailed from Dubrovnik in Croatia, and after a day at sea, we arrived at Valletta, Malta. We booked a walking tour of the city, highlighting the surrounding area's wonderful buildings, culture and history. 

While in Malta, we visited the Mosta Dome and Basilica, a Roman Catholic parish church based on the ancient Roman Pantheon with the world's third-largest unsupported dome. It is Malta's most famous church. The church narrowly escaped destruction during WWll when a bomb fell through the dome during a Mass service but failed to explode and was then disarmed. This was seen as a miracle. 

 

 

 

 

Later in the day, we were also able to witness the gun salute that takes place every day at noon and 4 p.m.

 Our next stop was the first of two visits to Italy. Our first trip was to Messina. After all the walking we did the day before, this was a more scenic trip. Although we didn't get close to Mt Etna, we could see it from afar. A trip to any part of Italy would only be complete with some wine tasting, and happily, that was also included in the trip.

 

In Corfu, we visited Bella Vista, which is claimed to be the most famous viewpoint on the island, and enjoyed many other beautiful scenery along the way.

(Legend says the rock in the background is Odysseus' ship turned to stone on his way home from the Trojan Wars)

We discovered the 'delights' of oil tasting back in Taranto, Italy. The presenter was very enthusiastic about the different virgin oils, and we all became experts at oil tasting. It's quite a complex art. Who knew that oil could make your eyes water due to its peppery taste?

However, Hubby and I decided that our last port of call, Bar in Montenegro, was our absolute favourite place. It had picturesque scenery that took your breath away. There are modern buildings and open spaces which blend perfectly together. They also had an amazing and ever-expanding list of activities for the many tourists that visit each year. And yet, it remains a beautiful and relaxing place to enjoy.

And then it was back home to some surprisingly hot weather for a week before the rain returned.

Holidays seem a long way off now, but we had some wonderful memories and many other lovely places to visit here in our small corner of the world.

After a week of unpredictable weather, Saturday was bright, clear, and sunny: a perfect day for a trip out somewhere. Hubby and I chose to go back to Shrewsbury as we had been there in the Spring and enjoyed it very much. 

I had wanted to visit the cathedral last time, but it had been closed for restoration work. We still didn't see it this time as a service was being held when we arrived. Who knows? Third time lucky? 

However, we did visit St. Mary's Church, St. Chad's Church and the remains of the old St Chad's Church. 

St Mary's Church

Old St Chad's church

St Chad's church (current)

We also visited the castle grounds, which housed the soldiers of Shrewsbury Museum and climbed the stairs to Laura's tower, which had stunning views. 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, as a gardener, visiting Shrewsbury would only be complete with a wander around the Quarry Park to admire the summer flower displays.

D has also been on holiday and wants to share that with you next time. Until then, have a lovely week, everyone.

B x

Decorated Mugs and Upgraded Bin Store

Hello, everyone, and thank you so much for all your kind comments and encouragement after our first post last week. 

Here is D to tell you about one of her activities during the school holidays.

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As I mentioned last week, it has been the first week of the school year. This time, back at school, I moved to a new office with a new team around me. I wanted to do something nice for them to use and enjoy when we returned to work in September.

On one of the sunny days in summer, when it was far too hot to be outside, I decorated some mugs for them. Earlier in the summer holidays, I bought some simple white mugs. I then used acrylic paint pens to personalise them with the first initial of their name and am rather pleased with how they turned out.

I also did one for myself as well.

D x

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The mugs looked lovely, and I'm sure all D's team will enjoy their tea/coffee breaks much more now. 

There are many things I want to tell you about that I did during my own Summer break, so I will begin with the continued front garden makeover. 

Originally, the front garden consisted of a patch of lawn and some block paving for the car. It was boring, and I felt there was so much more I could achieve with the space, so the journey began.

Firstly, some raised beds were constructed and painted grey, which is much better for my back with less bending to do. Then, the scruffy patch of lawn was gradually replaced with gravel and some more plant beds. It now means there is space for two cars if needed without it looking like a car park. 

I was even able to find room for a little watering feature for wildlife.

 

I tried to limit the colour palette of plants to just yellow, orange and purple, which was quite challenging when there were so many lovely plants at garden centres. I had to be very disciplined. Generally, I kept to that plan - although there may have been the odd colour infiltration now and again. I am pleased that there has been something colourful and interesting to enjoy outside every month of the year so far.

 

 

There is also a garden bench where I can sit and take a break and, of course, a wooden bin store to hide those utilities. I wanted to know if we could do more to make the bin store more interesting.

(The small tree in the foreground has since been planted in the garden.)

 

Earlier in the spring, I saw some pictures of alpine beds fitted into the roofs of similar structures, so I asked my wonderful hubby if he could make me something similar. This is the one he made with the alpines planted up inside. Hopefully, they will spread to fill the trays, and so far, they have survived high winds, torrential rain and baking sunshine. 

 

 

This week, I have started tidying up the plants in the front garden and deciding which of them need dividing or moving to other places, as everything seems to have settled in well, sometimes too well - like the weeds which have also grown like crazy.

I do a little in the garden most days, and it gives me a lot of pleasure to see it developing. I even managed to grow a crop of runner beans out there :-)

We both wish you all a good week and look forward to seeing you again soon.

B x