Reflecting on my week #117

We spent the latter half of last week in Lyon, and a large amount of that time was spent eating. Or at least it feels like that anyway. We did of course see the sights, on foot and making use of the Metro, and with all the tasty food it was just as well that we topped 13,000 steps each day we were there. February it turns out seems to be the time of year when we head off for a pamper-break, and our hotel in Lyon had a spa and a very fancy restaurant. Our room was pretty fancy too, and the loo will be featuring in a future Loo Series post.

We saw cathedrals, the view from Fourviere, markets and a restaurant or two too. We walked alongside the river, up and down hills and relaxed in the jacuzzi. We drank wine, ate the local dishes and never made it to breakfast at the hotel because we just didn’t need any more food. We only just made the flight home though, which was a bit more anxiety-inducing than it needed to be. We made it to the gate from entering the airport in about 25 minutes, and thankfully there was still a queue so there was none of that “last call” business. What’s more surprising (or to us anyway) is that another five people sauntered along after us, at least we had the decency to run. We won’t be doing it again I can tell you.

I’ve still to edit my photos, but I couldn’t share this post without at least one. The Valentines bouquets outside florists and in markets were great to look at - and aren’t markets a great way to see how locals live? - and there were bunches of mimosa and eucalyptus for sale. It made me wonder, why we don’t have the same, or maybe we do, and I’m just not seeing them. Anyway, it’s on my list (along with editing lots of photos) to find out.

We agreed in advance to mark Valentines Day when we were back, and so what with one thing and another have been treating ourselves most of the weekend. A nice meal and a nice bottle of wine on Saturday night and gin fizz cocktails, complete with rosebuds, yesterday.

We finally swapped cards on Sunday too - I’d fessed up on our trip that I hadn’t made mine (or his) yet. He’d bought his, but hadn’t written it, so we were kind of equal there. It wasn’t until Sunday lunchtime though that I disappeared upstairs to return with this.

You’ll know I like simple card designs, and I’m quite pleased with this one too. i was about to say I’d make more, but realistically I don’t need to make more than one! It was nice to get back crafting though and I need to make more time for making cards, and crochet too as I’ve not picked up any of those projects up in the last few weeks. I have of course, added new projects to my list!

I’ve also subscribed to a new-to-me magazine, and Sunday afternoon I sat down and enjoyed my first edition of Simply Lettering. The quotes below seemed to talk to me, and follow on nicely from the coaching that I’ve recently completed with Nicky Kentisbeer, which encouraged me to ‘get out of my own way’ and was just what I needed.

Like many people I was shocked and saddened to read of Caroline Flack’s death. I’ve never watched Love Island and wouldn’t claim to be a huge follower of hers (or any celebrity) but I do watch Strictly and was rooting for her to win. Any death is sad, however it comes about, but for someone to feel that taking their own life is the best, or only, option open to them, that really is very sad and reflects badly on our culture and society. I can’t profess to understand, but I do wonder if only she, and sadly the many that take their own lives, knew how much they were loved, if it would make a difference.

I really wish it had, and can going forward. In her words, be kind.

The loos in a shed

The variety of photographable loos continues to amaze me. Who’d have thought loos in a shed would be a thing, and a thing I’d photograph. But I have.

There’s plenty more loos I wouldn’t include here, because there’s no reason to, but I am finding more and more loos to feature in the Loo Series, perhaps I’m more attuned to them, perhaps there are more than I thought, who knows?

These loos are the second Bajan loos - the first were in the glorious Hunte’s Gardens, and yes I know I’ve not shared pictures of the actual gardens here yet, and like the gardens have a different feel.

Painted in pastel shades, the shed wasn’t just any old shed either, definitely a step up from the more usual creosoted garden variety.

Maybe the yellow walls helped. I’m almost certain that was the standard colour of my childhood bedroom, which was regularly repainted to freshen it up. I think dad’s yellow paint supply has long been used up, but maybe there’s a tin lurking.

The polite notice did make me smile, and it’s always good to see reminders that we all need to take care of our energy usage.

At one end of the shed was the ladies, with the gents at the other. The door signs matching the character of the island, its people, the gardens and the decor.

All in all a ‘pretty in pastel’ shed, with a completely functional use, that was very welcome after a long explore of the garden in thirty degree heat, and after all the water we drank to try to keep our cool!

The gardens and it’s plants were just as spectacular, with our last view of the garden (before the loos in the shed) looking like this.

A perfect match, and a perfect place to sit and enjoy a nice long drink of mango juice - the garden views, not the loos!

Flaming Dogwoods in the sun

We were lucky with the weather on our visit to RHS Wisley at the start of February. Blue skies and a hint of sun and in the distance a blaze of colour. So it was no wonder that we found ourselves in the Winter Walk admiring the colours of the Dogwoods. At this time of year they do provide colour, which is often something we’ve missed isn’t it?

We have some Dogwoods in our garden, and with hindsight they aren’t situated in the best position as it would be good to see them from the house. However they are in some of our sunnier spots, which is why where they are was chosen, as the sun helps the vibrancy of the colour. They’re definitely another of the plants i’d put in a future garden, and next time round I’d make sure we could see them.

It’s often the reds, yellows and oranges that take all the plaudits colour-wise but even the green ones, with the sun on, can shine. I think they benefit from the reds behind them, and the contrast that makes them work. I’m sure there’s all sorts of varieties, but mine are nowhere near as dense as this, and i kind of wish they were.

I”m also always nervous about cutting their vibrant stems, as the most vibrant colour is always on the newest stems. It takes all of my ‘big girl pruning bravery’ to actually cut the colourful stems. Mostly they’ve come back, but I have lost a plant or two in the process, which doesn’t help with being brave.

I do have a tip for you though if you’re thinking of adding some fiery Dogwood colour to your garden, and that’s to skip the garden centre plants and buy bare rooted plants. They’re much cheaper and as your plants won’t be doing much until next year anyway, they’ve plenty of time to get established and repay you with some glorious winter colour.