July Short Break Part 2

 Hello to you all. I hope you have had a lovely week.

In this small corner, there has been the odd respite from the heat, but only for a short time. I am very glad we bought the parasol when we did because sitting under the shade it gives has been wonderful.

We have still managed to have some meals outside, especially first thing or for our evening meal. This week we had our new table arrive, which will mean that we can eat outside even more. We only bought two chairs as it was a mix and match with the furniture. We loved the table, which is a perfect size for us, but not the seating, which was benches. I need a chair with a back. The chairs we liked had backs and arms, but we weren't sure how they would fit under the table. Now we know it works; we can buy the rest of the chairs. 

Back now to a very sunny Derbyshire, to share the rest of our few days away with you.

I have wanted to visit Bolsover Castle for some time, and our short break presented the ideal opportunity. The Peverel family built the original castle, but during the Medieval period it fell into disrepair. Over several years, the property exchanged hands until the ruins were sold to Sir Charles Cavendish, who wanted to build a new castle. It was not built for defensive purposes but for elegance and high society living. One of his sons, William, was a fine horseman and horse breeder. He was also an expert in manège, a form of dressage. The tower that was built as part of renovations became known as 'The Little Castle'. My favourite room in the tower was the Star Chamber, which has tiny lead stars on the blue ceiling. Charles I and Henrietta Maria visited Bolsover in 1634 to be entertained.

Our tour guide was excellent, and he explained lots of the details. The only downside was that it lasted for over an hour and a half!!

While we were in the area, we also visited Buxton and Matlock to see their well dressing displays. I have seen some wonderful examples of these on some other friends' blogs, so it was great to see some for ourselves. 

Well dressing is an old English tradition in Derbyshire and the Peak District, where local communities decorate wells and springs with beautiful hand-crafted pieces of art made from petals, leaves, seed heads and other natural materials. The designs are set in large boards of soft clay. Tradition suggests that it is a way of giving thanks for the fresh water supply from surrounding springs. 

Before we returned back home to sunny Birmingham, we spent a morning at Cromford Mill. It is the world's first water-powered cotton spinning mill which was developed by Richard Arkwright and is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arkwright chose Cromford for his mill because of the year round water supply needed to power his machinery. He aso built housing and developed the village for his employees to support maximum production.

After spending time looking at some of the restored buildings and machinery, we took a brief walk to St Mary's church where Richard and other members of the family are buried.

Then it was  back to our own small corner.

The garden was looking very sad and droopy when we got home, but it is looking much better now, at least in some places. I have been waiting and waiting for these lilies to flower, and now they are producing flowers every day. The variety is called 'Stargazer ', and it is just that. I shall be buying other varieties to add to them for next year. I think they are stunning. Also, the first sunflowers are blooming, and the bees are loving them. 

The weather will be hot again next week, but there may be a chance of a shower. However, even though it is uncomfortable to be outside here, I am thinking of all those who are particularly suffering with the heat and wildfires and all the dangers they bring. I pray that you will be safe.

Take care, everyone.

July Short Break Part 1

Hello everyone.

  

We had such a lovely time away in Derbyshire the other week, and I know I promised to tell you all about our trip. Here are the first two places we enjoyed. I looked at all my photos and think two weeks would be better to show you what we got up to. 

So here is part 1.

We drove up from the SW of Birmingham on our way to Matlock and spent the rest of the day at :

Sudbury Hall and Museum of Childhood

The National Trust manages Sudbury, but it is still the Vernon family home. 

We have visited Sudbury before, but this time, there was a special exhibition of children's clothes from the last 150 years, which was really interesting. We also visited the Hall and enjoyed a short stroll around the gardens before it got too hot for us.

George Vernon inherited the estate in 1660 and set about creating a house befitting his ambitions of politics, wealth and social position. He married into wealth several times, thus enabling him to spend a great deal of money on renovations.

One of my favourite pieces of furniture was a beautiful ebony cabinet with panels of biblical scenes inlaid in copper. I also loved the plasterwork and paintings on the Great staircase. (Sorry no photos of my own but I did find a link for the cabinet and staircase.) 

The 5th Lord Vernon, George, had a passion for travel and learning, and after spending time in Italy, became a great admirer of Dante and a leading expert on his work. In the Talbot room, I found a whole shelf of Dante. This was quite amusing as I am currently reading Dante myself. Hard going, but I am getting there. 

The bronze bust of Dante watches over the collection of writings.

Dante watching over his books.

In more recent years, Sudbury has been used as the setting for part of the 1995 film version of 'Pride and Prejudice', as Mr Darcy's home.

This pretty dress was a lovely bright red and made of silk. Dressing up from a bygone age.  It looks very Jane Austin to me.

Here are a few of the many other items we saw in the special exhibition celebrating decades of children's clothing.

This little suit was made from velvet, complete with the essential white ruffles and silver buttons.

The shirt from a Scout uniform c 1910

This reminded me of my dad, who was in the Scouts, and of his uniform, which was similar to this. 

During the Second World War, clothes were rationed like food, with coupons used to buy items. Handmade clothes and 'hand me downs'  were normal, while 'make do and mend' were also part of every family's life at that time.

A child's warm winter coat from the inter war years.

After the Second World War, there was a rise in more casual clothing. Colours were brighter with stripes, plaids and checks becoming more common. Items began to be mass-produced as more money was spent on children's clothes. The Ladybird brand became popular in the 1950's, producing high-quality clothes that were both practical and hardwearing. 

I remember some of my childhood clothes being Ladybird, although mum still made quite a few of my clothes and knitted lots of others.

T-shirts and jeans also became popular, influenced by the stars of the silver screen like James Dean and Marlon Brando. Fashion designers became more aware of the lucrative market of teenagers and young adults. In the 60's, there was the rise (quite literally) of the miniskirt, and shift dresses were made popular by designers like Mary Quant and worn by models like Twiggy. As the decades passed, there was a desire for casual comfort and individuality, too. 

Pretty smocked dresses

Huge changes in style and colour as the decades moved on in the 1960's.

I remember knitting jumpers with Postman Pat, Peter Rabbit, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Rosie and Jim on them for my children.

I really enjoyed this exhibition, and some of the items brought back fond memories.

Next, we enjoyed wandering around the Museum of Childhood and reminisced about the toys and games of our own early years—such great memories. There were also lots of toys that were much older, going back to Victorian times, and some that were just timeless. It really is a wonderful place to visit.

We took a peek into the school room and were very glad that our classrooms and learning had not been quite so scary. 

Finally, a short stroll in the gardens before we set off to Matlock, where we were staying.

Just a little shade!

As we were staying in Matlock for a few days, we decided to visit The Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath. It is a hilltop park atop Masson Hill, with outstanding views all around. It is accessed from the village below by cable car. We were told that it is called 'The Heights' because it resembles in some ways the Plains (or Heights) of Abraham in Quebec, Canada. 

Other things to do include joining one of the mining or cavern tours. My hubby took one of the cavern tours, so these are his underground photos. I'm afraid I was not brave enough for this part of the adventure!

In Victorian times, the caverns were mined for lead ore and fluorspar, but now they are a tourist attraction in their own right.  

Then, just for something different from our travels,  back home, I baked ginger cookies. I know it sounds crazy to be baking when we have been sweltering in the heat, but they were quick, easy and fun to bake with my hubby. At this point, only a few crumbs remain!

Today has been much cooler, so maybe there will be a change in the weather next week. Whatever, I hope you have a great week doing what makes you happy. 

Take care, everyone.

Bx