Friday 30 December 2011

There was this tree....


Now here's a strange thing!

This morning, we made a quick trip down the A38 to Ashburton.

When we got there the little town was busy...but alas

some shops had decided to stay closed.

Oh well...their loss!!

That said, one of my favourite shops, 'The Snug',

was open!!



And in pride of place at the front of the shop was this beautiful vintage tree,

full of the loveliest, vintage decorations.



No photos can do this justice as it was stunning!!




As was the rest of the shop...well that was displayed

in true Ros style...










But it was that tree which I could have gladly brought home with me!



I couldn't have the whole tree but I did buy a tiny part of it...




Exeter had better be open tomorrow !

And Mr S is cooking New Years Eve dinner...so

do expect culinary delights on the blog, very soon!

;-)


Wednesday 28 December 2011

The wonderful RAMM !!!



Just over four years ago, I opened the door to my blog!!


It's been a fun four years!

But as one door opened, another closed....for four years!

Everything was stored away and a grand refurbishment began!





And just about two weeks ago, four years on, on Dec 15th 2011,the doors opened again!

I'm talking about the fabulous RAMM!

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter.

It's been a long wait and I've been longing to see inside this fabulous old building!!




This morning, I jumped on the train with Nich and we ventured

to the city that I love!

Our sole aim was to visit the RAMM.

We'd forgotten that a few thousand children

would be doing the same and so it was...rather noisy!



Anyway, here are a few photos of what's on offer...and of course it is

all there to see, for free...including:

The Romans; The Middle Ages ; World War1 and World War 2;

Ancient Civilisations etc














It was certainly well worth the visit! Do go along if you can!

The displays are superb !

Today's visit was really to get

an overview and I will probably dive into the RAMM every time I visit Exeter,

in order to concentrate on one section at a time.

There was so much to take in!



Saturday 24 December 2011

Happy Christmas everyone!!



I'm waiting patiently for this thing called Christmas!

I've been told it's my first Christmas!

I don't really know what Christmas is but I have heard

that I'll like it when it comes!

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for my visitors to arrive.

I reckon they have stopped off here for lunch....



And knowing my Grandad...there will be Guinness involved!




And knowing my Grandma...some window shopping, after that!





My Grandma says that she loves the fact that we live near to Topsham!






Ah..I can hear the doorbell...that must be my visitors ...so



...bye for now...and I hope you all have a very happy Christmas...

whatever that is!!

Meggy xxx

;-)




Friday 23 December 2011

Merry Christmas to you all!


The bells of waiting Advent ring,
The Tortoise stove is lit again
And lamp-oil light across the night
Has caught the streaks of winter rain
In many a stained-glass window sheen
From Crimson Lake to Hookers Green.



The holly in the windy hedge
And round the Manor House the yew
Will soon be stripped to deck the ledge,
The altar, font and arch and pew,
So that the villagers can say
'The church looks nice' on Christmas Day.



Provincial Public Houses blaze,
Corporation tramcars clang,
On lighted tenements I gaze,
Where paper decorations hang,
And bunting in the red Town Hall
Says 'Merry Christmas to you all'.


And London shops on Christmas Eve
Are strung with silver
bells and flowers
As hurrying clerks the City leave
To pigeon-haunted classic towers,
And marbled clouds go scudding by
The many-steepled London sky.


And girls in slacks remember Dad,
And oafish louts remember Mum,
And sleepless children's hearts are glad.
And Christmas-morning bells say 'Come!'
Even to shining ones who dwell
Safe in the Dorchester Hotel.




And is it true,
This most tremendous tale of all,
Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,
A Baby in an ox's stall ?
The Maker of the stars and sea
Become a Child on earth for me ?



And is it true ? For if it is,
No loving fingers tying strings
Around those tissued fripperies,
The sweet and silly Christmas things,
Bath salts and inexpensive scent
And hideous tie so kindly meant,


No love that in a family dwells,
No carolling in frosty air,
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells
Can with this single Truth compare -
That God was man in Palestine
And lives today in Bread and Wine.



by
John Betjeman