Big clutterbusting success

We moved the clutterbusting up a level today and actually got paid for some of the stuff we moved on!  The FH noticed an ad in the paper from someone offering to buy older items [I hesitate to say antiques, because they weren't!] and she was here with her husband and a small wad of cash within two hours.

We moved on some old Sindy furniture, some of it still boxed up, from my long-ago childhood, which has been boxed up here for years.  We released some other things so that new people can enjoy them, I keep telling myself!  All in all, I estimate we busted at least 50 items out of here today, and we made some space!

It is better to get things moving so that space can be made in one's life for new "things" - not necessarily items, but perhaps experiences and opportunities.  I have realised that I have been hanging on to things for the wrong reasons, and this clutterbusting that I have been doing in August and September has really changed my outlook.  I have to let go, and let new chances come along.....someone said today that we have 110 days to Christmas [I did hear another person say 109, but who's really counting yet?!] so we have only a few more until 2014, and who knows what that will bring?  This autumn is already shaping up to be challenging, interesting and good fun.

I tried!

This is me, "coming back later" although sadly unable to deliver all I promised earlier.  Today has been one thing after another all day - hassles at the school, problems with the minister for Sunday, people dropping in, and all that jazz.....not a minute to think or plan for much at all.

The girls both had a good day at school and told us all about it when they got home - lots of positives, and the YFG is pleased with her new textiles projects in the pipeline.  The EFG is less chuffed that she has to be in school all day tomorrow, and her first lesson is not until 2.20pm, so she will have to take something to do; she has been given some homework today, but not that much!

The shopping trip to Aldi did at least go well, and I spent just enough to get the £5 off, so at least I can count that as a success.  Brain ache now, so going to bed in the hope of a more productive day tomorrow xx

New beginnings

The girls are up and bustling about, getting ready for school - I love the start of the new term in September as it always feels like a second chance at New Year, with an opportunity to make changes and resolutions.  It also means that Christmas is coming, with the change in the weather and the slightly autumnal feel to the air this morning, although we are promised one more hot day today.

The YFG has new school uniform as she did some growing last year [shouldn't be allowed!] and she will be going off looking rather smart.  The EFG is trying to conform a little to the new Sixth Form dress code but it is optional for her year so she isn't trying too hard, although she never looks really scruffy!

And me?  I'm having a trip out this morning, and going to Aldi to spend my voucher and get some food in for the week ahead.  Making more use of the German supermarkets is going to be one of my September resolutions - and I am looking forward to it.

Coming back later with some thoughts on the other resolutions for the month, and a meal plan for the coming week.  See you later - hope you are also having some good weather, wherever you are xx

Peace and serenity

I hope these pictures can give you some idea of the peace, tranquility and relaxing nature of the situation of the caravan in the woods at Kelling Heath.  The caravan stands opposite this conservation pond, which was actually a gravel pit when I first went there as a child, and we had a swing over the pit from the big horse chestnut tree you can see further down the post.

Much of the area is left to grow wild, and paths are cut through for walkers.

This is the tree from the far side of the pond, with my back to the mature woodland and the caravans in the roadway opposite.

This is the tree from the caravan side.  We used it as a playground, climbing in the branches, about 30 years ago!

UFO?  Thought this cloud formation was worthy of a photo....

That's the caravan in the background.  It's up for sale, and will be pulled off that site at the end of the year.  Feels sad, the end of an era, the loss of another connection with my mum.  Four generations of our family have stayed on this particular pitch since my parents bought the first van there when I was 9.......

Another very similar shot.  

Steaming at Sheringham

We dropped the FH off at Sheringham Station at about 10.35am, and it was already busy.  He went up the line to Holt, the terminus, and back three times by 2.45pm and had a good day of it.  He took a packed lunch and a drink.

This is the front of the train, as the chaps were turning it around for the next journey.

  

The train came into Sheringham with the engine the "wrong" way around!

The stations on the North Norfolk Railway are quite picturesque and I believe that Weybourne in particular has been used in several dramatisations for tv and film.

A jolly good day, the FH pronounced it!

Felbrigg - more photos

More photos from Felbrigg - I couldn't resist taking a picture of this gleaming copper in the kitchen: it must keep someone busy to make it shine like this!

Below is the Orangery.  When we went inside, it isn't as big as it looks and the walls are painted white, we think to reflect the light onto the plants, but unfortunately, it also shows the damp rising and the mould. It is a dramatic and south facing building, but looks as if it could do with some tlc.

This is the stable block, where the gift shop, cafe and loos are situated.  There is also a holiday flat in this area - the window slap bang in the middle of the photo is a room in the holiday flat.  Wouldn't it be lovely to stay here and be able to roam the gardens in the evenings when all the visitors have left?

We hadn't seen a bath like this before, but the guide told us it was a slipper bath.  Not found at the property but of the same era, and used to make the room look like a dressing room, which was its last use.

This room made me think of Downton Abbey - this is the servants' hall.  The shine on those tables was quite something - they are very well polished!

This was hanging to the side of the AGA in the kitchen - it looks like a fancy spatula, and I was interested by the fancy decoration on it.

Those are the best photos from Felbrigg.  Coming up next, the trains!

Felbrigg Hall yesterday

This is the approach road into the Hall - it is quite some way off the main road to Cromer.

The Jacobean facade is a bit of a mish mash of different materials, and not terribly posh, although the builder may have also been involved in Blickling....perhaps they just had more money over there!

Here we turned the corner from the facade and we can clearly see the later extension to the rear.  

Standing with one's back to the front facade, this is the view.  Not terribly inspiring nowadays - just acres and acres of sheep grazing. 

I thought that this chair would suit the FH - looks like a very early recliner with a footrest.

This window is in the service corridor, and I just loved the shape of it, and how the outside is shaded by the wisteria - beautiful!

This is a longer view of the service corridor - the fire buckets intrigued us as some are metal but some are so old that they are actually leather!

This stained glass is in the Jacobean Great Hall at the front of the building and it is just breathtaking.

Another panel of the stained glass.

There are more photos from Felbrigg, and some of the camp site AND some of the FH's day on the trains, but I think that is enough to whet your appetites for tonight.  We are home, we are all together again, and UJ is still here tonight too, as he is staying to go to the lunch club, which resumes tomorrow.  He has been busy in the garden whilst we have been away, and we are very grateful to him!  I'll be back tomorrow with more photos to share.  Night, all xx