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Autumn plants, berries, church going, Diary, Don Pasquale by Donizetti, family, flowers, garden work, Glyndebourne Touring Company, house repairs, leaf colour, Open Space Theatre Company, snow, St Michael and All Saints and St Felix church, Suffolk, Uncle Vanya by Chekhov, weather
My point-and-shoot camera stopped working and we didn’t think there was much point in taking it to be repaired. A replacement probably costs what the repair would have cost – if it could have been repaired – so we ordered a replacement which arrived yesterday. Richard kindly said I could borrow his small camera while we waited for the replacement, but I never used it. There haven’t been many opportunities for photography during the past week and the camera only took a couple of days to arrive.
After a chilly week or so in October, the weather this month has been fairly warm for the time of year. We have also had a fair amount of rain. I have managed to do a little garden-tidying, though as usual, not as much as I need to do or as I would have liked! There may be a few more days this year when I can finish off the work so I am not too worried. We had a couple of storms with high winds last week which ripped most of the leaves from the trees and Saturday was cold with wintry showers.
We had a gardener/landscaper and his assistant come to do a few jobs that Richard needed help with. Almost all our hedges have been cut and tidied by them and the front ditch has been strimmed. The hedges between us and our neighbours on either side of us have been left for now and will be done at a later date. Both of those hedges (like the front one) are on the far side of deep ditches which are fast filling with very cold water and are difficult to do.
Another job the gardener did was to dismantle our old summerhouse and extend the concrete pad on which it stood. When I say ‘dismantle’ I use the word quite loosely as all he did was lean on it and it fell down. With the winds that blew last week it probably would have fallen down without anyone’s help. Richard is still deciding which summerhouse to buy to replace the old one. We will be able to keep a few things in it that are needed for that end of the garden and Richard will be able to use it as a little home-from-home – a place to escape the hurly-burly of life in the house – a ‘shed’ with a view (of our big pond). I am sure a comfy chair and coffee-making apparatus will be making their way down the garden and the bell on the wall of the house will be put to good use when summoning him for meals!
We got a couple of quotes from local replacement-window firms and have made our choice. The work to replace almost all the windows in the house, both garage doors and the back door and window in the garage will be done in January. I just know the weather will be freezing cold when the work’s done and I will have a miserable time of it! However, it will be worth it in the end as the house will eventually be considerably warmer and our heating bills will be much reduced.
Richard spent a couple of days staying with an old friend in Manchester a few weeks ago. His friend had to retire early through ill health (heart attack) but is much better now and is enjoying not going to work. Richard came home after a very pleasant break much happier about his own retirement.
Richard and I went to the Rectory coffee morning at the beginning of the month and enjoyed seeing all our friends from church. We came home with cakes, pains aux raisins, marmalade and a book – no prizes in the raffle this time. This month we also went to the Remembrance Sunday service at St James’ church which was quite moving. Representatives from all the villages in the benefice read out the names of all the people who lost their lives in some of the wars we have taken part in – the two World Wars as well as the Korean and the Boer Wars. The American airmen who lost their lives during WW2 and who were stationed at Flixton airfield were also mentioned.
Alice came home the Saturday before last and stayed until the following Tuesday. This was only the second time she has been able to visit this year but we hope to see her at Christmas as well which will be fun! Mum came to lunch that Sunday and she enjoyed chatting with Alice and catching up with her news.
(The three photos above were all taken with my new camera. I think I will need to adjust the settings to get clearer pictures.)
Richard and I had been to the 9.30 Morning Prayer service at St Michael’s church the Sunday before last. Maurice, one of our Benefice Elders, took the service and spoke about St Edmund, Suffolk’s Patron Saint whose feast day is the 20th of November. I had been due to take Mum to her church that day but couldn’t because of lunch-cooking duties. Instead, I arranged to take Mum to church this Sunday just gone. It was very icy with snow still on the ground in the morning and we assumed that it would be as bad at Mum’s house and at Eye; Richard said he would drive us in his 4×4. Unfortunately for Richard, the further inland we got the less snow there was and he found that he needn’t have driven me and Mum after all! He had to sit through a High Church service at Eye church with bells, incense and a procession to boot, because he had been gallant. Richard doesn’t like High Church services – his Methodist upbringing revolts against them. I was brought up going to High Church services and I can worship anywhere really, but do prefer my own local church with my friends and Richard by my side. I think I’ll be left to drive Mum to church on my own as usual in future, whatever the weather!
These next photos were taken by Richard on his phone on Sunday morning.
I went out for the evening twice last week. On Tuesday evening I took Mum to a performance of the opera ‘Don Pasquale’ by Donizetti. It was performed by the Glyndebourne Touring Company at the Theatre Royal in Norwich. We loved it very much indeed. The singing, the costumes, the orchestra and the stage set were fabulous. A really enjoyable evening out only spoiled by a gale blowing and making driving and walking difficult – Mum was nearly blown over a couple of times and I had to hold onto her tightly. Clouds of leaves were swirling about in front of the car and bits of tree were falling onto the road all about us. As I drove along I was aware of loose branches swinging to and fro just above the car and hoped I could get out of the way before they fell. Fortunately I got my mother and myself safely to Norwich and then back home again.
On Saturday night Richard and I went to see ‘Uncle Vanya’ by Chekhov performed by the Open Space Theatre Company at The Cut in Halesworth. We both enjoyed the play very much which was acted and directed well. On leaving the theatre we found it had started snowing and as Richard had left his hat in the car he got quite wet and cold on our brisk walk to the carpark. The snow was falling heavily as we left the town and Richard found it very difficult keeping to the road once we left the street-lights behind. Most of our lanes have deep ditches running along next to them and there is always the risk of driving into a ditch in the dark. We were glad to get home again and into the warm. The snow didn’t last long and by morning most of the roads and paths were mainly clear but icy.
All photos in this post were taken either in our house or in the garden except for the ones of St Michael’s church.
My musical choice is performed by Emeli Sandé and Jules Holland.
Thanks for visiting!
Lisa G. said:
You have snow before we do in New England! It may be up near sixty on Friday and it’s hard to believe Christmas is a month away. I almost laughed out loud at the “dismantling” of your summer house! And now you’ll get a new one – it sounds lovely to have one of those.
You’re very brave to be going out in snow and gales, and your mother, too – almost getting blown over! Good luck getting used to your new camera.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Lisa. Actually, we were pleased to see the snow! Until a couple of years ago it was quite normal for us to have a little snow in November and then warm up again during December. The coldest weather usually starts about New Year. Last year and the year before were so mild we hardly got any frost let alone snow. I don’t know if we were brave to go out in the wind and snow – foolhardy perhaps? – or maybe just determined not to let the weather spoil our fun!
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susanpoozan said:
Good luck with the new windows, it will certainly make a difference. Loved the motto on the sundial.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Susan. The sundial always makes me smile.
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Catherine Oughtibridge said:
No snow here, yet. I’m glad you all survived safe, warm and well.
When I returned from visiting my sister the garden had been rearranged by the wind. It’s currently in a state of disarray with chairs upside down and the pots all blown higgledy-piggledy across the patio.
I’m jealous of you seeing the Chekhov play. I think booking some theatre visits is in order for my calendar!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Catherine. I hope you can find everything in your re-arranged garden! We went for years without going out to the theatre or going to concerts and we don’t know why – laziness probably. We forgot we enjoyed going out!
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colorpencil2014 said:
Congrats on your new camera, the photos are great!!! busy times for you in cold weather…xo Johanna
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Johanna! Yes, very busy times unfortunately. 😦
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quercuscommunity said:
Beautiful photographs. Thank you.
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clarepooley33 said:
How kind! Thank-you very much!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
We would call the plants in those first two photos Thanksgiving cacti because that’s when they bloom here. We also have Easter and Christmas Cacti and they’re all very beautiful as yours show so well.
Everyone is getting new cameras! I’m afraid I’m going to be forced to because I’ve discovered that I have dust on the sensor of one of mine. Getting it cleaned would cost as much as a new one so I’ll get a new one and try to learn to clean the old one myself. They don’t last long when you use them as much as we do! Your new one seems to take fine photos. If they’re too dark for you you might want to boost the ISO up a bit or increase the EV (exposure value.)
You’ve had snow before us this year. Last year we had 12-15 inches on this day. Today we had temps in the 50s F.
I’m glad you and your husband are having so much fun now that he’s retired, even if an occasional window or shed replacement does intrude!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Allen! This new camera is only a little point-and-shoot but it does have more modes and effects than my last one did. I haven’t had much of a chance to experiment with it yet.
Our snow didn’t last long but I was pleased to see it strangely enough. The last two winters were so mild and wet that I had begun to miss the snow and ice. So many undesirable bugs had been able to survive and the nettles and brambles had just kept on growing. I think we need a period of time with low temperatures to keep things in check!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I think so too, but a mild winter would still be a welcome thing after the last two we’ve had!
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clarepooley33 said:
I hope your winter is much less harsh than the previous two years. I remember your comments about shoveling snow off your roof. I would get very sick of that quite quickly!
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
Yes, it isn’t a very fun job!
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clarepooley33 said:
🙂
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Lavinia Ross said:
Beautiful photos, Clare!
We had a light dusting of snow a few days ago which melted, and temperatures down in the low 20s this morning, with highs in the mid 40s. An arctic blast for the next few days here. the days are so short now!
Our Christmas cactus is blooming now too. I have a pink-white one and a deep orange red-one. My aunt used to have a huge old cactus for many years she named “Gigi”.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Lavinia! I do like the idea of naming a Christmas cactus! I had quite an old light pink one which died after it was knocked over. I managed to save some of it as cuttings and they are doing well. The days *are* so short now! Only three and a bit weeks til the shortest day! We are into a very changeable weather sequence now – wind and rain then cold then back to wind and rain!
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tootlepedal said:
You certainly had two good theatrical outings. I love Uncle Vanya in spite of the terribly sad ending.
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clarepooley33 said:
Yes it’s a wonderful play. All the characters are so believable and most of them so flawed. The loss of hope at the end of the play for Vanya and his niece is heartbreaking.
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tootlepedal said:
And of course it has a sensational joke in the middle when he comes back in having missed his shot.
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clarepooley33 said:
Yes! And won’t admit to having the gun.
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Jill Weatherholt said:
Snow already! I’m not ready for that, but I am ready to see some of your snow photographs, Clare.
I laughed at your story of Richard driving you and your Mum. I was raised Methodist, so I got an extra chuckle.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos…I always love the sheep. 🙂 Thank you also for your kind comment on the Harlequin blog, it was very special. ❤
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clarepooley33 said:
My pleasure, Jill and thank-you! The snow was very short-lived and we are back with the rain and gales! I think most people find it difficult to adapt to a different type of worship in church – we need something familiar to hold onto and if it’s all strange it can make us feel quite uncomfortable.
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Aquileana said:
Beautiful feature… I am always amazed by your captivating surroundings, dear Clare… the acer leaves truly stand out … same applies to the Crabapple ‘Evereste’ and the church… thanks for sharing… Happy friday and weekend ahead. Aquileana 🍃🍀
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you my dear Aquileana! Your comments are so kind as always. Happy weekend to you too! ❤ Clare xx
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dobetteralways said:
Lovely photos, you’ve definitely kept busy. I know the pain of having to replace all your windows, very time consuming and expensive but ultimately a necessity. Thank you for sharing!
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clarepooley33 said:
My pleasure and thank-you!
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quietsolopursuits said:
Congratulations on the new camera, for whatever reason. 😉
I really liked the colorful photos that you started this post with, as well as the church and sundial. But, they’re all good, and of a wide variety of subjects, which is always nice to see.
I hope that Richard is enjoying being retired, I’m looking forward to it in a few years myself. Here in the States, the summerhouse that he plans to use as a home away from home would be called a man-cave.
I feel for him, having to sit through High Church service. I was raised Christian Reformed, and some of the other services I attended with a friend didn’t seem like a church service at all. One of the services was for Easter, and there wasn’t even a prayer offered from the pulpit, the pastor came out with his guitar and sang. The differences between denominations is quite striking, and once you’re used to one, I find it very hard to relate to others.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much Jerry for your kind comments. I am sure you will enjoy retirement! As long as you have enough money put by for emergencies and you can pay your bills everything should be great! I can sympathise with your experiences at church with your friend. I wouldn’t feel I had been to church if there were no prayers or anything familiar I could hang onto. Religion is such a sensitive subject – we all have our own ideas of what a service ought to be like and feel so uncomfortable when things are so different from what we’re used to. With a little imagination, you can almost see why people get so angry in the name of religion!
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Jane said:
You’ve packed a lot of activities and news into this post, Clare. I like the wonderful collection of photos, especially of your garden. It is beautiful. How lovely to have a pond and a summerhouse. Jerry mentioned the “man cave” in the US. Here we call it the “man shed.” Blokes in Australia love their sheds. They often have a beer fridge in it. They also like a “rumpus room” located at the ground level of a high built house. I had to google “strimmed”. Eventually I found out it a strimmer is the same as what we call a “whipper-snipper.” I’m enjoying the differences in language.
I’m very glad you got home safely during the nasty gales. It can be frightening driving in that weather. Here we have a lot of big old gum trees that tend to lose limbs in windy weather so people avoid parking cars underneath them.
Ah, it is interesting about different denominations. I grew up experiencing quite a few different churches. While I am more used to simplicity, I also appreciate the beauty and the meditative aspects of the high church rituals. I’ve seen devoted people from all denominations.
Thank you for sharing another most enjoyable post, Clare. 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jane! ‘Whipper-snapper’ – how interesting! We use whipper-snapper to describe either a young person or somebody young who is also a bit presumptuous or bumptious! I love our language differences too! 😀
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Julie said:
Hi Clare, I am glad to catch up with your news, we only had a brief dusting of snow but really high winds and can relate to your worries on driving in those conditions. I am glad too that Richard is coming to terms with his retirement, its a huge change in life especially with his recent bereavement, he needs time to adjust. New projects will help, I hope the weather is kind when your windows are replaced or that you have some thermals to wear! You have so much of interest in your garden, I am a tad envious of the size of your large pond, I can imagine getting lost in time just watching the pond activity and your new summerhouse will make a wonderful spot to do that from. We are forecast more high wind here today, I hope its not too bad where you are and that you have a good weekend. x
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Julie! It has been a little wild this evening with a couple of short power-cuts but I think it has started to calm down now. I hope you have survived the day without any damage!
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beckarooney said:
Such beautiful photos, the acers and spindle were my favourites. It feels like winter has arrived now, most of the trees around here are now bare. Good timing to get maintenance jobs done in the garden, as you’ve been doing. 🙂 great post! x
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Becky! Yes, I think winter’s here now. xx
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greytabby1 said:
I have the volume turned way up to listen to that fantastic jazz, Clare. She is a an amazing singer! I haven’t heard of her before. This was an action packed post and you have obviously been very busy! I loved your photos of your garden. It is really lovely and you have some gorgeous autumn color. Your pond is so wonderful too. Do you get a lot of different wildlife coming to visit? The new summer house sounds as if it is going to be fantastic. I can’t wait to see photos as I dream of having something like that too…although it would have to be a winter house here as I would get a bit hot in it during the summer! 😂 Hope your weather improves…especially the wind!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Kate! She hasn’t released anything recently but I think she has a new album coming out next year. I think she is a really great singer with a wonderful sense of rhythm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emeli_Sand%C3%A9
The garden is an acre and a quarter but a lot of it had reverted to scrub when we bought it nine years ago. We haven’t done much to it yet as my husband worked away from home a lot and we didn’t have the time or money for all the improvements we want to do. We do get a lot of wildlife in the garden and I try to garden organically. We want to keep the area round the big pond as a wild garden. We are surrounded by farmland that is sprayed regularly with pesticides and herbicides which makes life a little difficult. We have had almost non-stop rain and wind since Saturday and the garden is like a quagmire! Sadly this means I have to concentrate on housework! 😦
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Ste J said:
The snow came down whilst I was at work, I wondered how I would get home at half three but then it stopped so I couldn’t go home boo! I really do love your garden, it’s so perfect for reading and nature watching.
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clarepooley33 said:
Fickle, fickle snow! It’s never there when you want it! I’m always nature watching in the garden or gardening but I can’t remember the last time I read outside. It is the ideal place to read but I get fidgety and go and do some weeding!
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Draws Shoots and Leaves said:
Well, SNAP!, Clare! John and I saw the Donicetti too on Tuesday! Only we came from Ipswich on a coach organised by the Ipswich Institute and we saw the matinee performance. What a treat it was on a grey, wet, miserable November day………. I loved the set and I loved the chorus; we really enjoyed it. It was John’s birthday treat. John’s sister was with Glyndebourne a few years ago when she was still singing (Alison Hagley). I cannot believe you have has snow, nothing down here in the south.
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clarepooley33 said:
The snow was deeper in Norfolk! When we travelled to Norwich last Monday morning there were still patches of snow in shady places and some gardens had the remains of snowmen!
I know Alison Hagley’s name but never saw her perform – I went to the Guildhall Junior Music School 1972-77! I had a real dilemma trying to decide whether to see the Mozart or the Donizetti (too late to get tickets for the Handel) I decided on the Donizetti because he is my Mother’s favourite opera composer.
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Cynthia Reyes said:
Another wonderful newsy post! Lovely that Richard could visit his friend and that he returned in great spirits. Also that Alice came for her second visit this year. I am thankful to see the photos you shared. My Good Man does the hedge cutting each fall, but I warn him very strictly to leave enough of the cedar, spruce and dogwood branches so I can use them for Christmas greenery and ‘reddery’.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Cynthia! I’d love some ‘reddery’! Richard is so happy he didn’t have to cut the hedges and is so pleased with the look of the tidy hedges now that I can’t spoil his pleasure by moaning – much!
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Cynthia Reyes said:
haha. You made me smile.
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clarepooley33 said:
🙂
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