Copper flowers, and a spot to relax too

For today’s Flowers on Friday we’re heading back to the 2018 Chelsea Flower Show, for a closer look at these copper flowers by Myburgh Designs. I’ve just taken a look at their site, and believe me it’s a very beautiful and potentially dangerous place. They had a garden at Chelsea this year, but when I fell in love with these copper flowers - and more - last year, they had a corner plot which I’m not sure many people stopped by and enjoyed.

These poppies look right at home in the border mixed with the red and white flowers. They’re relatively reasonably priced too, which is always a result, as I have a tendency to sniff out the priciest items.

I think a mixture of sizes works well, and the website says they have a life of their own collecting water for birds in the garden, or could be used to hold candles.

But my favourite way to enjoy them would be just as it was at the show, from this copper pod.

Which I’m sure proves my earlier point about falling for the high ticket items, but who can blame me?

Love this #85 Superlambananas

Now, before our weekend in Liverpool Superlambananas wasn’t even in my vocabulary. I mean, it’s not a usual kind of word, is it? But it’s a fun one to say (it’s said as you think it would be) and add a Scouse accent to that and it’s an absolutely fantastic word, especially when said with a straight face.

But anyway, these were all over the city and were part of the city’s celebration when Liverpool was the European Capital of Culture in 2008. They are, as you’d imagine, a cross between a lamb and a banana and the largest of them stands at 5.2 metres tall, and was designed by New York City-based Japanese artist Taro Chiezo.

We saw the giant yellow Superlambanana while on the open topped bus ride to Anfield. The city are proud of these sculptures and rightly so, and like so many of these sculpture trails they bring a fun element to the area with their designs and requirement to be photographed, and as you can see from the rest of this post, I joined that club too.

THE LARGEST - BICYCLE LEFT IN FOR SCALE

OUR FIRST: ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN SUPERLAMBANANA

THE FIRST OF THE FOUR SUPERLAMBANANAS OUTSIDE THE MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL

What do you think, are you a Superlambanana fan - or convert? And have you followed the trail?

A wander around Snape Maltings

For today’s post we’re off out and about. We’re off to Suffolk in fact, and as well as travelling there we’re going back in time. We had a few days there a couple of years ago and as I’ve been looking through my photos, these are another rediscovery. It was our first time at Snape Maltings, which now is full of shops and such like. You might remember the velvet yellow sofa from a previous post, or the embroidery project for the future, which is still very much for the future, but no less beautiful.

But there’s some great walks in the area too, and while our wander features mostly the buildings and sculptures close to the buildings, there’s routes which take you further afield. As soon as we were out of the car, the tiles on this roof called my name. Well, they would wouldn’t they?

Next we, or rather I was fascinated by this sculpture called Myriad, whose clean lines and mirrored sections gave an easy view of the sky above.

It was the sort of place, and the sort of day, where it was easy to wander inside and out. And the more I saw of the main building, the more I knew it was one I would like. And I wasn’t wrong, it was a fascinating place. As well as the shops, sculptures and cafes there’s also a concert venue and exhibition space. I’ve a feeling we’ll be back again, and not just for the shops. In fact our visit was prompted by a festering seed planted by a wedding present ten years earlier.

No really. Our neighbours bought us a mosaic tea light lantern, which they bought at Snape Maltings. It’s one we still use, and one they’d bought here, so I had a feeling that it would be a place I liked. Completely true, and it goes to show how much first impressions count.

But back to exploring the buildings. Next up was the Dovecote, I don’t remember what it’s current use is, other than drawing admiring glances for the corten steel and brick structure. It’s previous use is pretty easy to guess though.

The windows. I’d happily have photographed this many which ways, but there’s always more to see - and really there are only so many photos you can take without ending up with at least a few duplicates. But don’t tell MOH that, as it’s something I always deny…

We had some fun with the final sculpture on this wander. There were three stacks to this one, and the round circular gap was just about head height. And as usual, my reluctant model posed for a silly picture or two. And the silly pictures always make it into our photo year books.

I’ve enjoyed this electronic wander, and a wander through memories made on what was actually quite a random way to choose a day’s activity. Have you been to Snape Maltings, or do you have anywhere equally as random for selecting where to visit?