Tags
Black Spleenwort, family, hazel catkins, primrose, Rumburgh Church, Sainsbury Centre, snowdrops, spring, St Michael and St Felix Church Rumburgh, Suffolk, University of East Anglia, witch-hazel
It is over a month since I last wrote a diary post. We haven’t done very much in that time but the days are getting longer and there are signs of spring in the garden and hedgerows.
ooOOoo
The central elements on our old toaster had stopped working so we have bought ourselves a new toaster and this new one manages to toast both sides of a slice of bread at the same time! It has a ‘bagel button’ (though as I have never eaten a bagel I think I would prefer to call it a ‘teacake button’) which toasts one side and warms the other. We can now re-live the old toaster experience, except in reverse.
ooOOoo
Another excitement has been the emptying and repair of the septic tank. Only those of you who do not have mains sewage can truly relate to this. The tank was well overdue for emptying and we knew it needed repairing a year ago but we have been let down by our usual contractor and have had to find someone new. The new contractor arrived and did what he had to do and was efficient and professional. An added bonus, as far as we were concerned, was the wind direction on the day.
ooOOoo
We have decided to have all our internal doors replaced and a carpenter has visited and priced up the job for us. He will be doing the work over three days next week. Richard will then have to spend quite a lot of time painting the doors, as well as all the skirting boards and the banisters. We hope to redecorate the hall, stairs and landing and get a new carpet some time in the next few months.
ooOOoo
At the very end of January we had a morning prayer service at our church of St Michael and St Felix at Rumburgh. The day before the service Richard and I called in at the church to make sure everything was tidy and to set the heating to come on well before the service. It was a cold day but inside the church was even colder than out in the open!
This gravestone has a skull engraved on it. Richard was asked to see if it was still in the graveyard recently as there had been a report that it might have gone missing.
Work will start on March the 20th on the new tower screen in the church. We have been saving for years and years to get the work done and at last it is about to happen. Once the screen is in place the tower will be shut off from the body of the church and we hope it might be less draughty and warmer.
ooOOoo
Elinor has now left the City College but we hope this is only a temporary thing. As I mentioned in my last diary post she wants to enrol on a one year Art and Design course for older students and has therefore filled out the application form. We have been notified that the college has received the form and I hope we will hear that Elinor has an interview soon. At the interview she will be expected to hand in a review of an exhibition she has been to see recently and with that in mind, we went to the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich and viewed an exhibition of 20th century Japanese photography. Photography was not allowed in the exhibition hall but there is a large collection of world art on display in the main gallery, most of the exhibits donated by Lord and Lady Sainsbury.
Below are my favourites from the main gallery.
The new basement has a curved glass frontage that emerges from the slope underneath the original building overlooking the man-made lake. This new wing can only be seen from the lake but as it was very muddy there and beginning to go dark on a very gloomy day, I was unable to photograph it.
The University has an excellent creative writing department and many well known writers have studied here. Tracy Chevalier; Kazuo Ishiguro; Ian McEwan; Rose Tremain – to name but a few.
My music choice today is a song from Katie Melua.
Thanks for visiting!
Sheila said:
I love seeing those signs of Spring with the flowers peeping through. We haven’t seen any flowers here yet, but your toast, home improvement, and septic stories all sound familiar. For some reason, we’re still putting up with our old toaster for now though. I guess the reason is mostly because I’m too lazy to go shopping. Your museum photos make me want to wander through a museum again so maybe I’ll do that instead.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Sheila! The museum was great fun – it’s not a large one so we didn’t get tired.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sheila said:
That’s good – museums can be tiring too but they’re much more fun than shopping
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
My thoughts entirely – I hate shopping!
LikeLike
Lisa G. said:
Oh, I do hope your church will be warmer after the updates! Colder than outside – that’s pretty bad. It’s usually too warm where we go, and I have to be careful I don’t dress too warmly.
Your new toaster sounds like ours – may it last!
Richard has so much work ahead of him with the door painting! Sounds like you two are getting spring fever, Clare. 😀 I also have to find time to paint soon.
I like the Degas statue and the Egyptian hippo (so old!). I love museums, too, Clare!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Lisa. Oh! A warm church! Even at mid-summer our church can be a little cool! I don’t know about spring fever 😦 We neither of us like having work done in the house but we made a list of things that need to be done and the doors are next on the list. It will be wonderful once it is done and hopefully by this time next week it will be!
LikeLike
avian101 said:
Wonderful works of art! I enjoy museums where ever I go. they have so much to tell about people. Thank for the tour Clare! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much HJ! I especially like museums that focus on social history and I get to find out what our ancestors were like.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: GOOD LUCK
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you for the pingback!
LikeLike
quietsolopursuits said:
I loved the flowers in the first part of your post, sure signs that spring is on its way!
I got a kick out of reading about the new toaster, little things like a good toaster make life more pleasant. The same is true of wind blowing in the right direction when you’re having your septic tank repaired. 😉
The pieces in the museum were interesting, as was the museum itself.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much Jerry! Spring is surely on its way but quite slowly this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
margaret21 said:
Sorting out the septic tank. My goodness, you know how to live life in the fast lane 😉 . Thank goodness foir the Sainsbury Centre to keep you sane. Lovely photos, as ever.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Margaret. The Sainsbury Centre is holding the Paul Nash Exhibition from 8th April that you went to see. I am counting the days!
LikeLiked by 1 person
margaret21 said:
It was a great exhibition. I hope you enjoy it too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gallivanta said:
The Sainsbury Centre looks wonderful. I read the obituary for Lady Sainsbury, and was intrigued to discover she budgeted a yearly amount for art. A great idea. This week I visited our art gallery for the first time since it reopened after the earthquakes. I calculated it was about 7 years since I had been into the gallery. 😦
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to put aside money each year for art! Lady S certainly had a good eye and an eye for a bargain too. I am so pleased you were able to visit your gallery again 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
reggie unthank said:
The Benin bronze and the hippo are amongst our favourites, too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Reggie.
LikeLike
susanpoozan said:
What a splendid collection in that museum, you took some excellent photographs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Susan.
LikeLike
Liz said:
Is there anything more joyful than seeing the snowdrops come up, followed closely by the crocuses? I adore this time of year. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
You are so right, Liz!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jane Sturgeon said:
How lovely of you to share the signs of Spring and your churchyard. I love the Japanese figure on a lotus. The Katie Melua song is beautiful…hugs for you my coffee buddy. Septic tank and drainage stories abound from my childhood, but let’s stay downwind from those. All the sparkly best for Richard painting all those doors. Hugs and more hugs, ❤ Xxxx ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jane! The Japanese figure is so delicate isn’t it?
Hugs and love, ❤ xx<3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill Weatherholt said:
We’re seeing the signs of Spring here too, Clare. Unfortunately we’re in for a hard freeze tonight which won’t get good for everything that’s already bloomed. Glad to hear you’ve gotten your septic tank squared away. I’m sure that’s a relief. Wishing Elinor the very best! Enjoy your weekend! ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Jill! I hope you are enjoying your weekend too. Your book arrived in the post today! I am so looking forward to reading it xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill Weatherholt said:
Aw…thanks, Clare. I hope you enjoy it. ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
I’m sure I will! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jill Weatherholt said:
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
colorpencil2014 said:
Lovely post Clare, signs of Spring, that gorgeous photo of the old thumbstone, we share a love for Degas’s little dancer!! But what can beat a new toaster..nothing I’d say ;o) We have roller coaster weather here, Spring, 26C, storms and this morning: snow!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Johanna! What strange weather you are getting!
LikeLike
Ste J said:
Old news, you should have labelled it alternative news in hono(u)r of our friends over the pond! It’s great to see some colour creeping back into the world. I am truly glad this winter is over now and happy to once more be treaed to a selection of your photos.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thanks Ste J! Hehe! Alternative news – a cheeky title!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sheryl @ Flowery Prose said:
Loving your signs of spring (it gives me hope that it will arrive here…eventually!). Also really enjoyed your photos from the Sainsbury Centre; what a fantastic collection of art pieces in that particular gallery.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Sheryl. Spring is coming slowly here, but it is on its way!
LikeLike
New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I’ve seen the female hazel blossoms before the male catkins were ready just once, and it seemed to just prolong the flowering time of the female blossoms.
It’s nice to see the primroses and snowdrops. It’s supposed to be below zero this weekend so we won’t see any for a while.
I wish Richard luck painting all those doors, and Elinor luck in her new school. I hope seeing such ancient artifacts has inspired her. I loved seeing them, especially the Egyptian hippo and the Ecuadorian figures!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Allan. Your comment on the hazel flowers is interesting – I’ll have to go and have another look at the tree. I think Richard will have a job that lasts many weeks with all those doors to paint, especially as his back and legs are still not quite back to normal! I have offered to help and I hope he will take me up on it if he needs to. I hope your spring arrives soon despite the cold this weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I looked at our hazels today because I was afraid the female flowers were going to be frost bitten. I didn’t see any but they should open any day.
If I was Richard I’d take you up on your offer!
LikeLiked by 2 people
tootlepedal said:
Your catkin shots are first class.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much, Tom.
LikeLike
dobetteralways said:
Loving all the museum pics ☺
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you! 🙂
LikeLike
KerryCan said:
You packed such a lot into this post, I don’t know what to comment on!! I was thinking “a new toaster and a septic clean out–such excitement” but then you got to the really good stuff (and p.s., we have a septic tank so I know just what you’re talking about). I like the photos of the church, especially the old tombstone and the spleenwort. And the museum looks marvelous! Good luck to Elinor!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Kerry. I’m afraid the post was a little over-full! The museum is just the right size for an afternoon’s visit.
LikeLike
bitaboutbritain said:
Lovely post – and so full. Can’t believe you’ve never experienced a bagel – try one with cream cheese and smoked salmon! Alas, I can empathise with the septic tank business, though fortunately that was in another life. Loved the shots of the church and the gallery – and enjoyed Katie Melua – who wouldn’t? Amazingly, at least one of her best numbers was written by Mike Batt, who brought us the Wombles – but is, I think, immensely talented.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Mike! I will definitely have to try a bagel! I agree that Mike Batt is a very talented composer and isn’t the only successful musician to have turned his hand to children’s TV; Rod Argent, for instance.
LikeLike
Andrea Stephenson said:
Lovely to see those signs of spring Clare as well as taking a tour of the university and the exhibitions.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much, Andrea!
LikeLiked by 1 person
womanseyeview said:
What a wonderful exhibit – the Benin Bronze is sublime! So brave of those primroses and snowdrops to peak out given the weather I’m sure. Your talk of replacing inside doors reminds me that we need to replace all the round doorknobs with lever ones too – as we age this round ones are such a nuisance!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Carol! I love that bronze! We have had a day of mess and noise and all but one of our upstairs doors have been replaced. We had wanted to have round knobs on the doors because we keep getting our clothes caught and damaged on our lever door-handles (don’t ask me how!) The carpenter persuaded us not to have round knobs so we have gone with levers again and reading your comment I think we have done the right thing. Though I wonder how long it will be before one of us gets caught by the new handles?
LikeLiked by 1 person
John Hric said:
That is a lot of catch up Clare ! Lovely pictures both in the garden and at the museum.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much, John!
LikeLike
John Hric said:
You are very welcome.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lavinia Ross said:
Clare, I missed this post somehow. Beautiful tour of late winter/early spring in your area, and I enjoyed seeing Sainsbury Centre.
Listening to Katie Melua and thoroughly enjoying her music. She is a new artist for me. Thank you for the introduction!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
You are welcome, Lavinia and thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cynthia Reyes said:
You’re the only person I know who would title a new post “Old News”! Made me smile. You chose such interesting sculptures to photograph – thank you. I sure would be interested in what Elinor has to say about the exhibits. I wish her all the best with the interview.
Tell me about old septic tanks! That’s one part of country living I do not like. The other is when wells run dry during a bad drought. Glad you had the problem taken care of.
I’m also glad to hear that your church finally has the funds to make the repairs. These draughty old churches (or is that drafty? – spellcheck is alerting me, but ti’s American so I don’t know) –anyhow, these old churches can certainly get cold, among other things. How old is your church? I’ve forgotten.
Finally — what a long response — nice signs of Spring!
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Such a lovely response, Cynthia! Thank-you.
Elinor still hasn’t heard whether she has an interview and is getting very jittery and can’t settle to anything. We will *all* be glad when she gets her letter!
Our church is very old indeed. Is all that is left of a Benedictine Priory founded in 1065 though most of the building dates from the C13th and C15th. Our next project will be to repair the porch before it falls down!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her Lost Mango said:
OH! Love this post! I just followed you! Would love to connect with you! I’m Chy from Her Lost Mango! Nice to meet you! I just posted my Switzerland and Amsterdam trip! Paris, Italy and London is going to be up too! Some of my Europe trip is up now! I just posted too my favorite fashion pieces too. Hope to hear from you! XOXO lovelots! – Chy http://herlostmango.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
clarepooley33 said:
Hi Chy! Thank-you very much for the kind comment and for the follow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Her Lost Mango said:
You are very much welcome! New Travel/Fashion is up on the blog! Hope to hear from you! XOXO http://herlostmango.com
LikeLiked by 2 people
Catherine O (@COughtibridge) said:
Always love a Henry Moore. Best of luck to Elinor with the art course.
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you very much, Catherine.
LikeLike
Charlotte Hoather said:
Good luck to Elinor, I’ve had so many rejection letters recently I could have a bonfire if I printed them 🙂 and not heard back at all which can be worse really because you’re in limbo until you hear others have a place. Luckily one of my many applications came off and I have a summer project of work.
Loved the photos especially of the works of art, it always inspires me too when I visit galleries. What art does Elinor want to study?
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Charlotte. I am sorry you are getting so many rejections or not hearing from the places you have applied for. My elder daughter is going through that at present so I know how disheartening it can be. I am pleased you have a summer placement – I hope you get a full time place soon.
Elinor, my younger daughter, wants to be an illustrator and had thought that Graphic Design was the way to go. However, she was really unhappy on the GD course and left it in January. She has applied for another Art and Design course and hopes that this will be more useful to her and will give her the relevant qualifications to be able to apply for a place at the University of the Arts.
LikeLike
quercuscommunity said:
So much to comment on! Love the sculpture, fond of gravestones, always like spring flowers…
I won’t bore you with my septic tank stories, but yes, wind direction can be a blessing.
🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Simon 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
quercuscommunity said:
Always a pleasure to hear from our Suffolk correspondent. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
clarepooley33 said:
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person