Jubilee Moments

I am rather late posting about the Jubilee and as I write, my bunting it blowing wildly in the wind.  The weather has been so bad since Monday when I had my garden party (mercifully on the only dry day ), I haven't been able to take it down as it been raining and blowing non stop. So I'm just showing a few images and commenting on the high and low aspects of the weekend.

It kicked off on Sunday with the Thames Pageant which it is said was inspired by this Canaletto painting -

but as you can see didn't look nearly as grand!  However it was a brave effort marred at the end by pouring rain and also the abysmal coverage by the BBC,  for which they have been heavily criticised.  I only wish I had known Sky were covering it, I would have switched.

The Queen and Duke, together with Charles, Camilla, William, Kate and Harry were transported in a boat that closely resembled a floating Chinese Restaurant.  Whoever was responsible for approving the design should be sent straight to the Tower!  It was certainly not British design at its best!

The elaborate and rather garish thrones on this vessel were totally ignored by the Queen and Duke. How amazing is that?  She is 86 and he is 91 and they stood all the time!

Of course this meant that everyone else had to stand too and towards the end the new Duchess of Cambridge had the "beam me up Scottie" look!

It's not very often you see a bad picture of Kate.  She was probably thinking  - What have I got myself into?.

Monday was mercifully dry with some sunshine and I had friends and neighbours for cake and wine in my Garden Room. The pictures were taken before the guests arrive and before all the food was put out - I had no time to take pictures after that!

l

You will also notice that I have lots of empty shelves to fill - don't worry I have plenty of stuff, it's just that I haven't got round to it yet, even though it is a year since it was renovated! 

That evening we all watched the Pop Concert centred around the Victoria Memorial with the Palace as the background. I can't say it was my kind of music but I enjoyed seeing it nevertheless and the ending was spectacular with the Palace illuminated and a grand firework display.  Wales was well represented by our Shirl and our Tom, who were splendid as usual, but Renee Fleming and Alfie Boe were more to my taste.

On the last day we had the Thanksgiving Service in St. Paul's Cathedral followed by the carriage ride back to the Palace and the balcony appearance.  I loved the service, it was beautifully thought through with wonderful hymns, the last being Cwm Rhondda with the Choir singing a descant.  Everything truly fitting and fabulous.

More Diamond Jubilee

Well 21 metres of bunting isn't enough, so I've just been out to buy more!  Needless to say the shops have sold out of Union Jack bunting, all that was left was red, white and blue, so that and a few balloons will have to do! 

As I sit here at my computer viewing the garden and my summer house where the celebrations are being held, the bunting that has been hung is blowing in the breeze and rain is forecast.  Keep your finger crossed that it is fine on Monday!  I will post some pictures when the scene is set!

Here are some to go on with, taken in London by EB collectors on Facebook.  Hope these convey some of the excitement as celebrations begin -

This is Covent Garden

and this is Regent Street

I am really looking forward to the Thames Pageant on Sunday, but rain is forecast.  Do hope it doesn't spoil the fun because it promises to be a great spectacle and the preparation has been huge.

Diamond Jubilee and EB

This post was to be about another Chelsea garden but Diamond Jubilee excitement has taken over.  There is much more enthusiasm for this than the Royal Wedding, even I'm having a Jubilee tea party in my garden.  We are all busy buying bunting ( I have 21 meters so far) and other appropriate decorations as well as planning the food and drink!  

Emma Bridgewater has come up trumps again and has just released these pictures - 

They are having a Diamond Jubilee Courtyard party and these lovely "Specials" (one off pieces) will be available to those lucky people who are able to get to the factory on the 3rd of June.  Oh I do wish I lived nearer to Stoke on Trent - I would love the all blue mug on the third shelf!

In a gardening mood.

This is the week of the Chelsea Flower Show and though I never visit I greatly enjoy watching the twice daily programme on BBC.  This despite not always agreeing with the format and being a bit irritated with Alan Titmarsh trying to the constantly funny!

The Show Gardens by the famous designers are well to the fore and of course it's fun picking out a favourite.  I immediately fell for this one by Cleve West and was chuffed when it won not only a Gold but also Best in Show!

I just love all aspects of this garden, the wonderful topiary, the stonework, the beautiful ornamental gates and of course the inspired planting.  Oh it is just fabulous and quite different for Cleve West, who also won Best in Show last year!  

Of course after looking at this fabulous garden and another one which I will show you next, you look at your own and feel dissatisfied.  However, one must remember that these are artificial concoctions, as all the plants have been manipulated by various horticultural means, to not only appear perfect but also flower at the same time.  They are dream gardens but what's wrong with dreaming?  Now I'm off to the Garden Centre!

Whatever turns you on!

I have just posted this picture on EB's Facebook page and I thought that I would share it with you all here -

My passion for clothes and shoes has long gone and though I still love bags and scarves, I can resist them - just.  What really turns me on is CHINA!  Buying it really cheers me up for days!

Yesterday I made my almost weekly pilgrimage to our local "Homesense" and there sitting alone on a shelf was the blue and white Spode teapot. I hesitated - I don't need another teapot but I do have lots of cups saucers, plates and jugs in b/w Spode!  Well I bought it!

When I plonked it down on my kitchen work top prior to its first wash, I was reminded of an article I had read a while ago by a well known interior decorator - he said that every room was improved by a touch of blue and white!  I think he's right, because the teapot seems to give the clutter in my kitchen corner a bit of zip - good result!

A Welsh Wool Quilt

Hazel who works with Jen Jones has just sent me this picture of a quilt which is in the current exhibition -

Because of its worn state it is displayed on a bed, so I hadn't noticed its wonderful graphic patterning.

I suspect that what now looks like grey denim fabric, was originally black, so when it was made it must have looked extremely dramatic in a red, green and black colour scheme.

It is very suitable candidate for turning into one of my Little Welsh Quilts, but I am restraining myself as I have so many others in the quilting queue!

My Pinks mugs

As you know by now I am a fan of Emma Bridgewater pottery.  I don't collect any particular pattern because I like to mix and I tend to go for mugs, jugs, bowls and a few odd plates.  I mainly use the mugs and bowls because my everyday china is blue and white Spode and that too is a mix of patterns.  All my best china is packed away in cupboards and I rarely use it.

A few years ago I bought a Pinks mug for nostalgic reasons.  I love Pinks because they remind me of my grandmother who used to grow them in her cottage garden in Pembrokeshire, bunch them and take a basket of them to market in Haverfordwest.  When I see Pinks I think of Gran, so I just couldn't resist this on line Studio Special.  I bought it for the normal price of around £11 and used it constantly.  Then I worried that I might break it so I bought another one as a backup and it is the only duplicate I have.

So I had very mixed feelings last week when this mug sold for £109.77 on eBay -

 
Of course there is no guarantee that another Pinks mug would fetch that price again.  This is a particularly fine one with tiny blue dots which mine don't have, though mine are both nicely hand sponged.  My delimma is should I still use them or should I put them on the display shelf?