2018 drawing

Posted on February 23, 2024February 24, 2024 Posted in Memories, Sketching, UncategorizedTagged 2018, Art, Black and white drawing, Conway, Holiday, Sketching, the smallest house in Great Britain, Time, Visit, WalesLeave a comment

Smallest house in Great Britain, in Wales, is it in Caernarfon? (I’ve just been told its actually in Conway) If I remember it’s one up one down. If you spread your arms out it’s only just a bit wider than them (it’s smaller on the inside). I remember there was a woman called Carole dressed in Welsh traditional costume standing outside. We went in (squeezed in) and were amazed at how small it is.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some flats in big cities are actually smaller than this, although I don’t remember seeing a bathroom in it. It’s on the seafront between the castle and a bigger building than it if I remember correctly. It might be worth Googling it if you are interested. I didn’t realise how long ago it was that we visited it, hence the hazy memories.

Chatsworth

Posted on January 24, 2024 Posted in UncategorizedTagged bloganuary, bloganuary-2024-24, chatsworth house, dailyprompt, Derbyshire, Duke of Devonshire, Thinking, Visit13 Comments

Name an attraction or town close to home that you still haven’t got around to visiting.

From Google

“Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire is set in the heart of the Peak District in Derbyshire, on the banks of the river Derwent. Explore the historic house for fascinating stories and one of Europe’s most significant art collections.”

I’ve seen it on TV lots of times but it’s always been just a bit too far to drive, or something else has come up and I never went. Maybe it’s time I did go before it’s too late? Before I get too totally doddery.

I found the picture on WordPress gallery of photos, one of only two. So I hope it is a real image of it.

I know there is meant to be a massive fountain there? I might try and find out its opening times.

Castle keep

Posted on September 6, 2023 Posted in Memories, UncategorizedTagged Carnarvon, Castles, keep, Memory, monarchy, principality, Stone, Visit, Visit Wales, Wales, west Wales5 Comments

A real castle in Wales we visited last year. There are so many in the principality that we have visited over the years, this might be Carnarvon. This is in North West Wales but I’m not absolutely sure.

I posted this because it’s a substantial castle, mostly in ruins, a lot of them were built by English King’s to control Wales. This is why the English monarchy has a Prince of Wales who is usually the monarchs son. I’d love to go back.

Car door and leg

Posted on August 19, 2023August 19, 2023 Posted in UncategorizedTagged elevated, Health, home visit, nurse, swelling, thank you NHS, Visit, weeping, wound6 Comments

Thanks to the NHS I’m getting treatment for my injured leg.

Well after days of a weeping wound in my leg I’ve had it dressed and bandaged by a nurse. Very uncomfortable but I’ve got to keep both legs elevated as much as possible to reduce the swelling. I will have to persist in looking after myself. Wish me luck. I won’t have much excitement over the next few days I guess.

Scotland

Posted on June 21, 2023 Posted in UncategorizedTagged dailyprompt, dailyprompt-1973, History, Islands, Scotland, Scottish, Travelling, United Kingdom, Visit4 Comments

What countries do you want to visit?

As a non flier, and someone who isn’t keen on ships I’m rather limited to where I would like to visit. I have been over the Channel on a ferry once and visited a few countries, but things like the Herald of Free Enterprise sinking put me off the idea, and going in a very long tunnel? No thanks.

I’ve enjoyed visiting Wales, I still do, but I’ve only got as far north as Carlisle in England and not even into the Scottish Borders. The thing is Scotland is a big country, there are Highlands and Lowlands, and all the beautiful lochs. The biggest mountain in the UK is Ben Nevis, and that’s in Scotland. Also the summer days are longer there as it is nearer the North Pole (not much closer) but it does affect the day length. And you are more likely to see the Aurora Borealis in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.

Scotland had it’s own kings, and King James the sixth of Scotland became James the First of England when Queen Elizabeth the first died. There have been other famous Scottish Royals including Bonnie Prince Charlie.

I would like to visit the capital one day. Edinburgh is renowned for it’s yearly arts Festival, and it together with Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness are it’s main cities.

Scotland has world fame for it’s Whisky brewing and many fine Scottish Malts are distilled on the mainland and also on numerous islands about the coast.

I’d like to paint the scenery and visit some of its famous landscapes. I’m sure I could spend a great deal of time exploring. Maybe one day we will visit.

Rode hall bluebells

Posted on May 7, 2023 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Beauty, Blue, Bluebells, Countryside, Day trip, Life, Nature, Rode hall, Staffordshire, Visit2 Comments

We finally got the weather for our walk around the grounds of Rode Hall. It was lovely, calming and peaceful. I know it’s strange, but I wondered where the musical backing track was….. But there was beautiful birdsong.

This was the last day of the actual bluebell walks, but they are obviously still there for a little while. There is a Rode Hall website and I’m sure there will be details available for visits there.

Tree views

Posted on February 12, 2023February 12, 2023 Posted in UncategorizedTagged bund, Day out, lakes, Life, Photo, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Trees, Visit, Walk, Westport lake, wildlife centreLeave a comment

Trees on our walk today. (somehow I seem to have posted the same thing twice so I’m editing this into a new post). Anyway this was at the far end of the big Westport Lake where a large plot of land has had tons of hardcore rubble placed on it I don’t know if its an industrial site or housing, but they have builf a huge bund (piled up slope) hopefully to hide it from the lake. Previously it was a muddy rocky mess adjacent to the nature reserve and the main train line that runs to one side of the reserve. I’m glad these trees have been left to screen off the area.

Today’s amble

Posted on February 12, 2023 Posted in UncategorizedTagged Day out, lakes, Photo, Staffordshire, Stoke-on trent, Visit, Walk, Westport lake, wildlife centreLeave a comment

Two lakes, the smaller in front. One is a quarter of a mile to walk round, the other a mile. Its at Westport in Stoke on Trent in Staffordshire. A bit of a haven for water birds. It’s also a reservoir for the Trent and Mersey canal I think. It’s a flooded area of old coal workings or marl pits I think? Sorry not to have better information, I shall have to check. Its run by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. There’s a cafe there and wildlife csntre. The only thing is the local council have bought in car parking charges (it used to be free). Its sad because in this day and age people might be put off coming because of the cost of living crisis.

Missing painting

Posted on November 22, 2022 Posted in Fine Art, UncategorizedTagged Acrylic on canvas, blue crab, Fine Art, Gone, Lost, Missing, Painting, Sister, Visit7 Comments

When we went up to my sisters house last week I looked for the painting I had done her for her birthday. She passed away a few weeks ago and I would like to retrieve this and a painting of a lobster I also did for her. Unfortunately the house is full of things, she was like me, a collector of all sorts of things, and I have no idea where she has put them. I feel like I should ask her family for them back unless they want them themselves. So much to sort out. So sad to not have her in my life anymore.

Random dog

Posted on September 2, 2022 Posted in UncategorizedTagged corgi, Cute, Dog, Fun, Life, Painting idea, Photo, Random, shitzu, VisitLeave a comment

A lovely dog we saw while we were out a couple of weeks ago. It was a mixed breed but I can’t remember exactly what? A shitzu crossed with a corgi? It was small and sweet and friendly. I took a photo as I was thinking I might do a small painting including it. I’m not sure what to do in the background. Why are small fluffy dogs so cute? I think it’s the sweet eyes and nose.

Mallaband-Brown

Tag: Visit