miss marie's miscellany

Pope fever

The last week has been a hive of activity in Bellahouston Park, just across the road from where I live, preparing for the papal visit. All sorts of crashing and banging has been going on, while a huge stage and all the ephemera that a big event with lots of bodies requires were installed. The park was closed from Wednesday afternoon and all the residents were subjected treated to a sound check from 9am to 9pm. All the main roads were closed apart from 2 for local access and the local buses and trains operated to a different timetable and route or didn't run at all. I ventured out in my car yesterday morning, despite the dire warnings of my neighbours that the traffic would be awful; it wasn't, in fact it appeared that most people not going to the park were at home! Later on, I went to have a look.

 

Lots of people  everywhere

 

I went back up the hill where I could see the stage framed by the trees

 

The music was spectacular, a brass band, full church organ, choirs of all ages, various singers and bands and Susan Boyle and Michelle McManus too. I sat in the garden with my crochet and enjoyed a free concert for most of the afternoon. When the Pope finally arrived, the sun came out and the stage/altar was bathed in sunlight;  just as well as it was very windy and rather chilly, hope he had his thermals on!

 

And the person who really deserved a medal was this cameraman perched high above the park. he must have been frozen:-(

 

Vertigo, anyone?

 
 
 
 
 

July collage

This year is passing by rather quickly, I can't believe it's the end of another month. There's been lots of crochet, some trips away and a mix of good and bloomin'  awful weather, sounds about right for the good old British summertime!

 

Strolling in the park

These palatial gates are the entrance to Birkenhead Park on the Wirral. My brother and sister-in-law live quite nearby and took me for a visit. The park was created in the 1840s and inspired the architect who designed Central Park in New York.  I can see why......it's vast with wide avenues, lots of trees and flowers; you can walk, run, cycle, play and even go fishing in the park, motorists can drive round the perimeter road in the park, and there was even a horse-drawn carriage sitting by the gates when we passed by. And of course, there's the all- important cafe, I didn't go there but I'm reliably informed it's good!

There must have been hundreds of squirrels running about the park, I managed to snap this one, they don't really like posing for photos!

 

We headed for this boathouse. It seemed Italian in style to me, both exterior and interior.

 

It has an amazing floor decorated with pebbles.

 

A lovely tranquil place in what is a busy urban area, good to know it's being looked after so well and is there for everyone to enjoy. 

Old Hall

This elegant old building is Rufford Old Hall which i visited last week.It's not too far from where I grew up as a child but strangely, I've never been here before. The building above, the Great Hall,  dates from the 16th century and is the oldest part of the hall; bits have been added on over the centuries,17th and 19th to be precise, so it is a hybrid building, but full of character and history because of that.

Here is the 17th century facade





The gardens were full of interesting features; a pair of swans and a squirrel topiary.


as well as plenty of flowers. You can see the 19th century part of the Hall on the left of the photo.


This leaded window is in the Great Hall


as is this wood carving on the wall


and also this strage window in the roof of the Hall. It was added in the 19th century to give more light over the snooker table!!



Photography was allowed only in the Great Hall, so I can't show you any of the beautiful rooms in the main part of the house, full of huge fireplaces, paintings, china, original furniture and squeaky floorboards.The cafe is very good too, I had a delicious ploughman's lunch with Lancashire cheese and my dad had hotpot which disappeared rather fast :-) All in all, a good day out!

Summer colour

Some delightful colours at the garden centre near my brother's house

 

They make me feel summery :-)

 

More tales from my week in Liverpool soon..........
 
 

 

Three gardens in one day: part 2

Next stop on out garden tour was Glenwhan Gardens. I think this has to be one of the best gardens I've ever visited; it is natural and un-manicured, with gorgeous planting, great sweeps of flowers and foliage.  

 

The garden spreads outwards and upwards around 2 lochans with amazing views from the highest points.

 

There are so many paths winding around the garden and also in between the plants, that you really feel right in the midst of the garden and are able to explore fully. There's lots to catch the eye amongst the flowers

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are even peacocks wandering around, this was the closest I could get before this one ran away

 

I've just let the pictures do the talking in this post :-)

 

Truly a beautiful and inspiring place.
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

Three gardens in one day: part 1

 

The main reason for visiting Dumfries and Galloway was to go to some of the beautiful gardens of the region, which is situated in the Gulf Stream, hence the  beautiful and lush wealth of horticultural interest. We managed to go to 3, each with a distinct character of their own. The first was Logan Botanic Gardens. This is affiliated to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, and is a plantsman's paradise with exotic species from all over the world. 

 

 

Tropical!? If you look closely, you can see some of the many fish in the lily pond.

 

There are so many eye-catching plants........this is a Lantern Tree

 

 If you look at this tree's bark, you can see how it gets its name -  the Filo Pastry Tree (honestly!)

 

Palm trees everywhere

 
 
   

Gunnera - huge plants, it's like being on another planet standing in the midst of a sea of these.

 

I'll take you to Garden no.2 tomorrow!

 

 
 

 
 
 

2000 acres of sky

When you're at the most southerly point in Scotland, that is just about all you can see.

 

 This is the Mull of Galloway. 

 
 

The road south from Stranraer is quiet and becomes narrower and narrower the further south one travels. The last stretch is a single track with passing places, rough terrain, a bit scary to negotiate. But it's worth it for that view. To the east (in the picture below), you can see Luce Bay and to the west (in the last picture in this post) we could just make out the coast of Northern Ireland.

 
 

There isn't much there....... a lighthouse

 

a couple of cottages and the sea and the sky.

The sun shone and the waves rippled.

 

Peaceful.
 
 
 

Big sticks

Sometimes you come across something unusual which seems to have drawn inspiration from a variety of different sources  

 
 

Seen outside the smart new Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin...... big red knitting needles!

 

Chopsticks? Abandoned stilts?

They also remind me of Venice...... the theatre is right next to the canal after all.

And at night.....

 

they light up.......may the force be with you?!

 
What do they remind you of? 

Happier

Sometimes, it's little things which can cheer you up the most

 

A visit to see friends who live by the sea

 
 

Some new arrivals in the garden

 

A new WIP

 

And if all else fails, something sweet will hit the spot (sorry this pic is a bit blurred, I must have been excited at the impending sugar rush)

 

(In case you're wondering, the lovely pudding above was rhubarb creme brulee with ginger biscuits and was to die for!)