Category Archives: walking

Secret Gardens and Fairy Hobfathers!

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Being a Mummy to twins is hard work at the best of times and at the worst of times it can be exhausting. I have found myself close to tears on occasion and in need of a pick me up. This week I have made two wonderful discoveries just when I needed them most. A secret garden and my very own Fairy Hobfather!

Charing’s Secret Garden
I have lived in Charing for over 2 years, I have been roaming it with my double buggy for over 6 months, and yet I have never before visited the secret hidden walkway through the alderbed meadow. I found it completely by accident and it totally made my day. I have found a beautiful, peaceful place where I can walk with Esther and William enjoying the natural sights and smells of bluebells, buttercups, snowdrops and garlic. There are sparkling streams and winding paths over rickety bridges through the towering trees. It was a wonderful way to waste half an hour. I was also able to secretly practise my photography as we had the whole place to ourselves. Such a wonderful surprise and a place we will visit when we are searching for peace or space to think. Our very own secret garden, the Charing Alderbed Meadow.

The Fairy Hobfather
After a weary week of wisdom tooth woe I was cheered up by an email from the friendly Fairy Hobfather. Otherwise known as Ian Goodall this Master of Appliances makes it his business to keep a careful eye on Mummy Bloggers and reward them for no reason at all. What a lovely man and such a very kind thing to do. My email was waiting in my inbox when I returned from a few days in Cornwall. During our stay away the babies had been swimming for the very first time and they loved it. They particularly enjoyed their turn in their shared swimming float. The Fairy Hobfather is sending me £15 of Amazon vouchers which will be just enough to buy a second swim float so that both twins can enjoy this favoured treat at the same time. Thanks to The Fairy Hobfather!
You too could be visited by the Fairy from Applicances Online and be the receiver of a gift to make you smile. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to be in with a chance of your very own visit from The Fairy Hobfather.

Here is a very blurry picture of William happy in his float!

Raindrops, Roses, Whiskers!

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Inspired by http://superamazingmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/raindrops-on-roses-and-whiskers-on.html which I read during an early morning breast feed!! I have dug out my list of favourite things that I shared with David when we met in 2007.  At the end I will add on some new ‘raindrops and roses’ that have grown through knowing him.

‘These are a few of my favourite things!’

ART

Andy Goldsworthy

“Andy Goldsworthy is an environmental sculptor in which his use of the natural surroundings create an art form. He explores and experiments with various natural materiel such as leaves, grasses, stones, wood, sand, clay, ice, and snow. The seasons and weather determine the materials and the subject matter of his projects. With no preconceived ideas about what he will create, Goldsworthy relies on what nature will give him.” 

 This is one of my favourite pieces.

 

Gustav Klimt

Kandinsky – I like abstract art

Mondrian

Lowry – I also like art that tells a story

Jack Vettriano

PLACES

Lost Gardens of Heligan – Cornwall

Have you ever been here?  It is wonderful.  Has a real sense of magic.

http://www.heligan.com/flash_index.html

Gyllyngvase Beach, near Falmouth, Cornwall

Kynance Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall

Hidden away from all the world!

The view from the top of Gummers How, near Windermere

 

On a clear day you can see the sea far far in the distance

Camber Sands, especially when it is empty and when it is winter.

Windermere

Window seats in old houses.  Where you can curl up with a good book and watch the world go by at the same time.  Watch raindrops as they race down the panes.

Warming up by a roaring open fire – toasting marshmallows

 

Holidays by the sea

Campfires on the beach

Sleeping under the stars, beneath the night sky

TO DO

Camping, walking, climbing, cycling and swimming.  Reading and writing, teaching and learning.  Going to the theatre, acting, singing, listening to music. 

READING

I have always been an avid reader.  Starting with Enid Blyton and The Folk of the Faraway Tree, moving on to The Famous Five, The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper, The Hobbit.  I love Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy and other classic literature.  I love The Secret Garden.  I love 1984 by George Orwell and The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.  I studied and compared these two books for an extended study as part of my literature A Level and have loved them ever since.  I love The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.  I love Lord of the Flies.  Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger.  I love The Silver Sword by Ian Serrailer, I Am David by Anne Holme and Children of the Oregon Trail.  Books I can read over and over again! I will read just about anything to be fair.

WRITING

Though I have not written much outside of school and university for a few years now. I have written and enjoy writing stories, poems and plays.  The first play I ever wrote was called The Happy Scarecrow when I was 8 years old.  I directed and performed in it in a school assembly.  My friends and I used to write shows and perform them in my garden all the time when we were younger.  Poetry I wrote was pretty intense as a teenager.  I went on holiday to Scottish highlands with my parents when I was about 15 and write some pretty moody stuff.  I have not felt much like writing for years, until I met you, and now I feel inspired again.  Thank you.  I have had some educational articles published and some of my work from uni, I have also had some poetry published when I was younger.  I will always try to keep a diary. I want to be able to look back on what we have when I am old and remember how wonderful and magical it was to find you (David).

ACTING AND DIRECTING

I have always been into the theatre.  First started acting when I was 6.  Started with small parts but always speaking roles and then as I got older I always got the lead roles in school productions and at the various drama clubs I belonged to.  Got some really good reviews for my acting and for the productions that I directed.  The last two Christmases I have produced and directed the school Christmas show (with Debbie) but it is not quite the same thing.

Parts I have played

Loads of pantomimes always either the young female lead (Snow White, Cinderella) or the Prince type person. 

A review from when I was in panto – “Colin was of course played by a girl in true panto tradition.  This was the delectable and talented actress Jennie Nairn who was quite outstanding.  She was all that the lead panto ‘male’ should be.  Striking looks, true stage presence, a magnificent smile and a marvellous set of legs which all made her perfect for the role.”

The Governor’s Wife / Rider in Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle

Sara Bond in Wolfsbane

“Pivotal to the whole play was the part of Sara Bond, played by Jennie Nairn.  It is difficult to believe that one so young (20) could have such a mature acting ability.  She had terrific stage presence and built up Sara’s character with subtlety and guile.  Jennie is a handsome girl with a clear and powerful voice and was a joy to watch.  Her powerful scene with Gran was a highlight.  Her domination and mood changes, threats and ridiculing of the old lady had the audience on the edge of their seats.  It was marvellous stuff.  She never hesitated once, such was her command of her part, and at the end I was an ardent fan full of admiration.  There have been some fine perfomances at CATs but Jennie Nairn’s was amongst the best that I have seen.” 

Antigone in Antigone

Mrs Frank in The Diary of Anne Frank

Karin Rust in Albert

Dulcie in The Boyfriend

Audrey in The Little Shop of Horrors

Alice in The Killing of Sister George

Plays I have directed

Doggies by Jean McConnell

Love Stinks by Sue Herscombe and Pete Scott

“Amateur dramatics often gets stuck in a rut.  Give the younger generation a chance to show its talents and this refreshing pair of duologues is the result.  The young CATS were led by the hardworking Jennie Nairn (me) who directed without unnecessary frills,, allowing us to concentrate on the well-written texts … We look forward to more work from this combination of young talent.”

All of the above are my favourite things from 2007, now in 2011 I would add

David, my children and all the wonderful things they do, teaching, directing children’s drama, blogging, taking photographs, Ullswater!!, Devon, Durdle Door, snow days with igloos, animation, The West Wing, Spooks, Twilight, planning our wedding and so much more …

Think I will post more about this soon.

Thank you for the inspiration x

http://superamazingmum.blogspot.com/2010/11/raindrops-on-roses-and-whiskers-on.html