Attic24

Castle-ing

We've been Castle-ing today, a wonderful few hours spent up the road in our towns castle. I still find it incredible to think that we have this ancient and beautiful historic building so close by to our house, only ten minutes walk away in fact. And as this weekend was the annual Free Opening for local residents, we felt we could not miss the opportunity.

It's a truly magnificent and ancient building (more than 900 years old)  and is apparently one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England.

This isn't a castle full of stuff. There are no paintings, artefacts or furniture here. There are lots of rooms, stairs, doors, windows, fireplaces and towers though. Lots of ancient stone. A watchtower. A kitchen, a banqueting hall, a bed chamber and a privy. A dungeon (where they turned out the lights and made all the children scream for help, gosh the Little People loved that bit).

But best of all for me there were views. Views of the surrounding countryside...

....and that oh-so-familiar view of the very hill that I gaze at through my own window. Ahhh, deep sigh, my heart squeezed with happiness at the sight of my attic view as seen from the castle window.

And from the highest point in the old watchtower, a spectacular view of our town's main street. The castle really does quite literally sit at the top of the high street. Isn't that quite something??

We had a lovely time at the castle, the Little People really enjoyed following the trail in and out of the rooms, up and down the ancient stairs. Even Little B seemed to enjoy his outing, riding high on J's back in the baby carrier. Afterwards, I asked the LP if they would like to come with me just a few minutes walk up the road to look at the flowers. Lots of crocuses growing in the wide grass verges.....

....and just a little bit further on at the entrance to the woodland, a fantastic gathering of snowdrops.

Every year I try to make sure I walk up to this patch to be delighted and amazed by the sight. I always kind of hold my breath as I first walk near, afraid that perhaps they may not be there. But of course they were indeed there, and even the Littl'ns seemed impressed. Some "wow"s were uttered. In fact, it's felt like a really Wowsy kind of a day. Just unexpectedly lovely to appreciate for the umpteenth time that we live in a pretty special place.

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March 2011

I think the sight of fresh, bright green shoots pushing up through brown earth is very perfectly March-ish don't you? I bought myself some Muscari bulbs from the supermarket on Monday and popped them out of their plastic pot and into this little broken jug which I keep purely for popping Muscari bulbs in. It's never used for anything else, just for my annual Muscari Appreciation. I have an odd attachment to this little broken jug as I found it in the back yard covered in dirt when we first moved here. I feel it belongs to the house, I wouldn't dream of throwing it away even though it is a bit defunct. Can't wait for the sweet little blue flowers to arrive, but in the meantime the sight of those fresh green stems  on the windowsill is making me feel very happy indeed.

I'm on to my third? fourth? round of hyacinths on the mantel now too, they continue to deliver huge dollops of pleasure on a daily basis. So pretty! And so smelly! I think on balance I much prefer the blue flowers :: these pale pink ones that are scenting the room right now are very lovely but I kind of wish they were brighter that's all.

I'm so happy we are now into the month of March as it means all things Spring-like are right around the corner, yaaaayyyy!!! February was OK I guess but we did seem to be dealing with pesky coughs and colds throughout most of last month, so I'm looking forward to a dose of lighter, brighter and hopefully warmer weather to kick the germs into touch.

My calendar pages have been turned on time (in fact, I turned them a day early, thinking it was March on Monday) and the images made me sigh with gratitude for the Coming Of Spring. Greenery re-appearing. Longer days. Drying laundry outside again. And that certain hard-to-describe feeling of Spring in the air.

Oh, and Connievan-ing again yippppeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm hoping, hoping, hoping with all my heart that some time towards the end of the month it might possibly be time. Time to wake Connievan from her Winter slumber and take her on a little outing into the countryside. We need a mild spell, some sunshine and warmth and off we can jaunt. I've been having some very vivid fantasies just recently about revamping Connievans curtains. I told the man in the fabric shop that I had been fantasising about blue and white gingham curtains and I hoped very much that he did indeed sell blue and white gingham because I would be needing some very soon. He told me matter of factly that I'd be best to keep my fantasies to myself. This is a true story. Only in Yorkshire eh.

We had rather a lot of very welcome sunshine at the beginning of the week, and my front garden crocuses went wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and flung open their petals in sheer delight. They looked so beautiful!

And next to the crocuses (is that word right? Seems to sound odd saying crocuses!)...err where was I, yes next to the purple crocus(es) is a resilient little clump of snowdrops. Gosh, I do love these little flowers, they are so humble yet so captivating and beautiful. Lovely.

On Tuesday which was the first day of March, I took a few of my usual snaps from the attic window. Living with this view for over three years now hasn't made it any less special and it continues to fascinate and delight me. I just love to observe the changing light throughout the day, it really does make for happy viewing....

01:03:11 :: three snaps taken at 08:27, 11:30 and 14:31.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the hill "greening up" again, it'll be another few months more before that happens and I can't wait. Ahhh I feel all happy and glowy just thinking green and springlike thoughts!

On that happy note I shall love you and leave you for now....it's 9.50pm here and it's my bedtime. Off to go get my hot water bottle filled to the max and get myself snuggled up under my feather duvet and my wonderful BB. Bliss ♥ !

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I'm a HaPpy HoOKeR!

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it feels like I've been away a long time, hello hello hello!!!

Wow we've had some glorious weather the past few days! Been very cold, most definitely still winter, but the sun has been out and the skies have been blue, it's been glorious. I really appreciated the colour of the sky today, I love this particular shade of clear, sunny-winter blue.

Anyhow, this is just a super-quick posting to let you know that all is well and I'm still about, just been very busy this past week. I've been a very busy and very Happy Hooker! Yes, my little hook has been smoking hot as I've been working very hard on a Secret Project with a tight time schedule attached to it. Have to say that I think this is the first time I've ever had to crochet to a deadline, and it's been quite thrilling actually. Yes, I can say that I've had a lot of fun with this particular project. More will be revealed in due course........ooooooooooh, get me, how naughty I am to tease you like this, tut tut!!!

Back soon, toodle-ooo for now xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx