This was my year in Greenwich Park

The more observant among you will have noticed there hasn't been a "a year in Greenwich Park" post yet this month, and that's because I've been debating with myself whether or not to continue with this series. In the end I decided to keep it to a year in Greenwich Park as that has a better ring to it than "another year in Greenwich Park!"  

It's not that I've fallen out of love with Greenwich Park, far from it, but I've noticed that I'm taking less photos and enjoying the park, its scenery and the people that over the year I've nodded, smiled and waved at. 

But I couldn't leave the year without a look back, so here's a photo for every month, and maybe a bonus one or two along the way

AUGUST: IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

OCTOBER: FADING HYDRANGEAS

NOVEMBER: NEW ROUTES

JANUARY: WHAT SNOW?

MARCH: COLOUR RETURNS

MAY: MEADOWLIKE

JULY: IN THE QUEEN'S ORCHARD

SEPTEMBER: CONKERS!

OCTOBER: AUTUMNAL COLOURS

DECEMBER: LESS PARK TIME

FEBRUARY: GLORIOUS SUNSETS

APRIL: AND SO DOES THE WILDLIFE

JUNE: FLOWER BORDERS AND BLUE SKIES

JULY: TURNING RIGHT AT THE BANANAS

It's been quite a year getting to know our local park, and there's still places I haven't shown you. I'm sure there'll be posts from Greenwich Park in the future, and I've enjoyed focusing on how it's changed over the year. I'm contemplating continuing with the "a year in" theme, and I'm looking for the next subject to present itself.

More soon... (hopefully!)

The loos with the succulents

Sometimes good loos come at you thick and fast. Or they seem to for me anyway. And as you know by now a good loo deserves to be photographed. Some of these photos might be a little blurry-er than usual but when I tell you these are the loos in a City of London pub, I hope you'll forgive me.

These light fittings meant I was off to a good start. And the central island of offset sinks didn't worry me either.

And then in front of the mirrors I spotted these terrariums complete with succulents, on pebbles and moss.

Large succulents too. Larger than mine.

And if you needed an excuse to stare in the mirror, then you could also pick up some cocktail recipes here at the same time.  The Summer Nights vodka and watermelon cocktail sounded great, one to hint at with MOH I think...

And then it struck me, the whole space had the feel of Rockett St George to it - not a bad thing, but not what I expected in a City of London pub either.

And if you're wondering where these loos are, they're in the Anthologist on Gresham Street in EC2. Well worth a look - with maybe a beverage or two, or even a cocktail - if you're ever that way.

Treasures and textures in the home and garden shop at Snape Maltings

Walking into the House & Garden shop at Snape Maltings was the equivalent of entering a sweet shop for me. First I spotted the yellow velvet chaise longue and then there was something else that caught my eye. I was here, then I was there and I think at one point MOH was all for sitting down on the said chaise longue and wait for me to ground myself. However I suspect he also wanted to stay in close attendance so he could proffer the inevitable "and where would you put that" or "don't we already have something like that" when faced with me wanting to buy yet another thing. I'm sure without him following me around I'd have returned to him looking like someone who'd just taken part in the cabbages and kings game on Crackerjack (hands up who shouted it then, even if it was just in your head!) but I suspect even I may have struggled with the beauty that I first saw. 

I mean I don't even like corner sofas (and yes that was pointed out) but isn't this gorgeous, and totally worth making the exception for. I countered that this was the very reason we had to have mustard dining chairs. Understandably he looked confused, as we'd not even seen this then. But you know it makes sense don't you?

It's probably just as well we didn't come here before we bought our gorgeous white glass dining table, or else we might have ended up with this as this was everything I thought I wanted. 

And then I spotted this. It's wood. I was shocked too. But the colour. Even MOH was showing some interest now. I don't think the interest was to shoo me away from it, but maybe...

I managed to curb my enthusiasm enough as we continued through the shop.  Smaller, detailed items caught my eye, like this garden lantern - wouldn't these look great in a line along a patio or on my sleeper bed?

And after the frenzy of the colour overload we started with, I moved into a more restful and neutral - but no less gorgeous - part of the shop. The rose chair here isn't usually my style, but I fell for this too.

Being attracted to colour and naturally so, I always pause and wonder if there is such a thing as too much colour. Often when I see such subtle beauty as this. I'm reminded though that we all need some neutrals, to make sense of the colour and these go on my list for a future house too.

Even though I admire the coolness of these neutrals, I think I'd always be tempted to add a pop of colour in with all that pattern.  And some lime green blankets would be just my thing. 

My creative mind was also piqued with these heart made of buttons on wire. I'm not sure I have enough buttons yet, but give me a while and who knows!

Then just as MOH had managed to successfully steer me around the shop with no purchases, we both faltered. As usual I was attracted by the glitz of these stacking tables. MOH who's got a bit of a map thing was interested in them too, and I think they're the type of tables that are timeless. And what's even better is the top lifts off so it becomes a tray too. Multifunctional and beautiful, I think if we see these again we're sold.

I say if, as I strongly suspect that any future attempts to visit Snape Maltings in Suffolk will be strongly rejected, well I guess they will be if he knows where he's going...

Are you and your OH like this shopping? Or do you have other, defined roles that each of you take?