Sunday 22 September 2013

Rinda's Photo Scavenger Hunt -

The Scavenger Hunt for 2013 has come to an end - and I haven't posted details of all the photos I did manage - - and I can't even say I am sneaking in "under the radar" with this post as I am too late now! But not to worry - I have put together a page with some collages of most of my photos - and here I have just posted a few that haven't seen the light of day - just so I can point you in the direction of the page.
Item 3 City Hall or similar civic building

This is our Tynwald Building in the capital of the island. Fondly referred to as "The Wedding Cake" it is our Government offices and has recently been re furbished.
Item 19 - A fisherman . We were fortunate enough to come across a Fishing Competition on our day at "The Queenie Festival" - a celebration of all things maritime!
Item 18 - our local hostelry - a restaurant/wine bar serving delicious teas and coffees as well as their regular menus. It's our Friday meeting place - when my former colleagues  and I get together for a couple of hours chat to catch up with each others news.We usually have our celebrations there too - as the staff really "look after us" as we say here!

As always you are most welcome - thank you so much for dropping in.
'til later

Bannaghtyn, J x

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Simply a Moment - September

 Stormy Weather

Tuesday - September 17th  - 9.30am

- - swirling eddy's of leaves circle my feet,  a  whirligig of madly dancing browns, yellows and greens before skittering across the road to lodge in the undergrowth of the hedgerow. The trees above my head sway wildly - their leaves rustling in an endless whisper - what secrets could they tell me if I could understand I wonder. Another gust of wind takes my breath away - it's sound wuthering and wailing and I feel as if I am fighting a battle to take my next step towards home.

 As I pass my bay I look across westwards - in the distance the promised storm is now clearly visible -- marching relentlessly across this morning's wild Irish sea where the wind whips the waves to a frenzied flurry of white horses galloping into shore and once more I am breathless as another gust catches me and attempts to trip me up as more leaves swirl round my feet.
A few small black shapes appears briefly in the churning waters - and I realise the incoming storm has driven some of the seals from the Sound to my slightly more sheltered bay. It will be wild out there I know. I smile thinking of them and am glad they are here near my home - our bay is a little less exposed to the elements and wild weather is the only time the seals come this close to shore.

The wind whips my hair round my face and I realise the shopping bags I have carried up Yn Shooylaghan are heavy and I hurry on the last hundred yards or so to the cottage. As I turn down the steps to my garden the first drops of rain land on my face - - - -

Another Simple Moment recorded - thanks to Alexa of Trimming the Sails - who once a month - invites us to stop, notice and make note a of a minute or two of our day. Many "memory keepers" from  in Blogland join her - so do drop in here to see her and catch a few more moments  from around the globe -  and perhaps share a moment of your own?

Thanks for dropping in - as always you are most welcome,
'til later,

Bannghtyn, J x

Sunday 1 September 2013

Storytelling Sunday - The Brooch

She was surprised to find it light when mummy opened the curtains and realised with excitement that she had never been awake this early before on a summer morning, the air itself seemed to tingle with anticipation and the sense of controlled hustle and excitement was palpable.
It felt cold, which surprised her as it was the middle of June - but then she had never been awake so early before, mummy was waking and dressing her little sister -  who just looked bewildered and only half awake - - then she remembered - granny and grandad had stayed last night - so-o-o exciting!
Now dressed, she danced towards the kitchen - - Granny was there - adding bread, butter, tea, bacon, eggs, milk and all manner of other foodstuffs into a large bag whilst Grandad was checking the primus, the teapot/kettle, the matches - - adding cups, plates, spoons to another bag and that the bottle of violet coloured meths was full enough to last the whole time!

Suitcases lined the hallway, coats piled on top, along with a flower book , the map book, washbags - - the front door suddenly opened to reveal daddy - who picked up the largest suitcase, turned and went out again - - Grandad was suddenly passing her and he too picked up a suitcase and went out the door - - daddy was back again - this time collecting the bags from the kitchen - - -

A flurry of activity from the 4 adults around them - - it was time - "Come along" her daddy spoke slightly impatiently "we need to get going" as he checked all was locked and hurried them all into the car - - - 

- - for us to set off on our very first trip to Cornwall - which was where this tiny brooch came from made from some silver coloured base metal, a ring of green enamel, a small circle of what is supposed to be mother-of-pearl but is actually (I suspect anyway) plastic - topped by a tiny pisky figure - a small cheap tourist souvenir, which, whenever I come across it in my jewelry box, takes me right back to that very first Cornish holiday and the beginning of a love affair with that most magical of England's counties which remains with me to this day. I fell - - hook, line and sinker for its rugged beauty, awe inspiring seas, enchantingly quaint villages, legends, smugglers, fishermen, miners, harbours, light , art - everything about it was - to the girl I was - entirely too romantic for any words my 11 year old self could have found. I don't actually remember which of Cornwall's delightful villages this little brooch came from but was my introduction to Piskies - I am not sure which of those 4 adults I spent my childhood holidays with actually bought it for me but it is incredibly precious in my eyes, for whenever I see it - every one of the wonderful holidays - not only in Cornwall but in other parts of the UK too -  with my mum, dad, sister and grandparents come flooding back.

It also represents my love of Cornwall's rugged beauty and charm that captured my heart all those years ago. Cornwall holds it still - for me it will always be a magical county. I have spent very, very many happy holidays there since that first visit, have adored every book I ever read that was set there, from Mallory Towers on that first car journey, through Jamaica Inn, Frenchman's Creek,the Poldarks and The House on the Strand and -- I wore it in my coats for many years and we had many more of those very early starts! Coming across it again has triggered many more memories - which I really aught to record - - - - - -

Many thanks to Sian of High in the Sky - who hosts this meme, and this year suggested that we Pick our Precious - without whom THIS story may never have been written down -  - and although I have failed totally with this month's challenge to write down a "short" story! (Well you know me and words!)- -  there will be many more stories about on the web today. Just click here to follow the links - maybe you too have a story to share?

Thanks for dropping in,
'til later

Bannghtyn, J x


LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...