Lovely flowers on convolulus plant, they may look beautiful but the plant grows madly and scrambles over other plants. It entwines and strangles them. The stems grow long distances and the plant can smother a garden. I saw these at Bovisand Bay in Devon. The fly on them gives an idea of their scale. The leaves are heart shaped and block out the light to underlying plants. If you get it in your garden it takes a lot of work to remove it. If you leave a tiny bit of its white roots in the soil a whole new plant will grow from it.
Three day trip to Falmouth in Cornwall and back with ivans_uk_tours.com . We stayed at a lovely hotel. Travelling through the West of England on the way down, through Ludlow and stopng off for a picnic at Tintern Abbey. We went over one of the bridges over the river Severn. We arrived at the hotel in the evening and went off to find food at a pub called the Red lion. After that we walked back to the hotel over stone stiles through farm fields.
Day two was up at the Penryn Campus at Falmouth University. I was graduating so we joined in the celebrations with other students who were graduating in different aspects of the creative arts. The actress and comedian Dawn French is the Chancellor of the University and handed out a chocolate coin covered in gold foil out to each student. Later, I got to throw my cap and gown in the air with my fellow students. We left in the early afternoon to go in search of a cream tea. Instead we found a shop that would post out cream teas all over Britain. The ships figurehead was down a sloping alleyway that led down to the sea. We sat by the harbour and ate our scones with jam and cream (jam first!). A lovely meal at the hotel and then a hot and sleepless night as the temperature continued to soar.
On the final day it had cooled down, but even though I would have stayed an extra day it was not possible because of the cost. We decided to call at Bovisand Bay near Plymouth in Devon on the way home. We had a picnic there and a paddle (hubby swam). Then a steady drive back up the motoein increasing heat. We stopped off a few times. I’m sunburnt but happy. Very tired. I couldn’t really post much here as I didn’t have much Internet connection.
Dawn French, comedian, author, actor, amid many other talents, is Chancellor of Falmouth University. She gave the graduation speech for the students who have completed their courses over the last two years or more.
She was handing out chocolate coins to all the graduating students. We have to wait for our certificates to be posted out over the next few weeks. The coins symbolise her status as Chancellor and ‘Queen’ of the University of Falmouth. I was honoured to be handed the coin by her. As I walked towards her all I could say in panic was ‘thank you very much Dawn French in a very loud voice. 😍
I haven’t been around much for the last three days because I had travelled to Cornwall in England because I was graduating from Falmouth University after studying for my MA in Illustration.
We travelled down with @Ivans_UK_tours because I’m struggling to drive any great distance. We must have done around a thousand miles by travelling to Cornwall and back, plus driving around when we were down there. I would not have gone but I decided it was worth it. I’m glad I did. A hectic itinerary was well organised by our tour guide, Ivan Dale. We had real fun and it was am overwhelming experience. Especially seeing Dawn French who is Chancellor of the University.
How do I climb over this? Bad hip, aching knees, my legs don’t want to work like they used to! Luckily there was a gate next to it that opened! Apparently these are normal stiles for the area. Must be mighty walkers with seven league boots! If I had long legs and better balance? Then I wouldn’t be me!
Our small moon has risen, facing the westerning sun. Over ancient walls and red tiled rooves. The green of full summer beats down on the countryside. Leaves heavy in a photosynthesising flourish. Light starts to fade as the sun slides further down towards the horizon. Moon brightens to shine its joyous light.
A pint of Proper Job Pale Ale brewed in St Austell in Cornwall. Tasty and hoppy, cool after a long walk through the countryside. Climbing over tall stone stiles. Listening to the lowing of cattle. Walking under massive trees that started growing three or four hundred years ago. A pleasant refreshment after a tiring day.
Cat time, time for your cat. To love them, feed them, play with them, let them ignore you, hide from you. Disagree with your choice of food for them. Accept that sometimes they will bring you unwanted ‘presents’. They go away for a few days, just so they can worry you. Eat your food off your plate, ignore the toys and treats you get them. Sitting in empty boxes so you can’t throw them away.
When your cat friend scratches or bites you it’s probably because you have been a bit heavy handed or frightened them. It’s always better to be gentle. Remember that a cat is probably a fifty or hundred times smaller than you! They have interesting and intelligent abilities, it’s good to find out about them. X
These are another couple of pages from my book, the story is on the right embedded in my photoshop drawing. The pattern on the left is a photo of arrow shaped post-it notes and multi coloured foil circles glued together to represent dragon scales. I used a website called Blurb to create a single copy of the book. It even has an ISBN number!
Mallaband-Brown 