Clover Yard

Happy birthday...

Beatrix Potter
28 July, 1866 - 22 December, 1943

some flowers from Mr McGregor's garden...

And birthday cake (carrot, of course)...

 

Even the nice people at remembered!

 

In the footsteps of Miss Potter

Today, the intrepid explorers headed off to Dunkeld and Birnam, a childhood holiday destination of both my husband and Beatrix Potter.  It is said that during holidays spent here she drew inspiration for her Peter Rabbit tales.

After lunch and a wander round the beautiful cathedral ruins and little shops in Dunkeld, we walked along the riverside to Birnam, past the enormous ancient oak trees believed to be part of the wood from which Malcolm's soldiers cut branches to disguise their attack on Macbeth at Dunsinane Hill.

Further on, we reached the village of Birnam and the Arts and Conference Centre which houses a wonderful exhibition telling the tale of Beatrix and her animal friends.

A group of very creative ladies have collected vintage items and stitched together the most beautiful display. Actually, it is more like a play room as the children are encouraged to touch and play with everything.  Little boy had such fun serving me fabric carrots at the little shop with working vintage till full of pennies.  And mummy had a lot of fun hanging up little bloomers and handkerchiefs on Mrs Tiggy-Winkles washing line (but don't tell anyone that bit).

Cleverly entwined with all the touchy feely stuff is Beatrix's story including some original sketches and objects belonging to Miss Potter herself.

 

The price of pine cones these days!

Parents and children are encouraged to try their hand at embroidery at this dinky little table - who could resist this sweet little sewing machine!

We could have spent all day in this mini-world of little creatures but had only allowed half an hour before closing and Hunca Munca was shooing us out impatiently with her broom so she could get on with sweeping the dollies' house.

 

Although she did very kindly ask us to come back another day.

 

Three go to Smuggler's Cove

Phew, I really hope this weather keeps up.  Our week's holiday at home experiment (or gamble) has been glorious so far.  Last night was damp but warm and "the boys" spent the night in the small tent in the back garden.  Little boy was so excited he could hardly contain himself.  Daddy promised to wake him at midnight and then they'd both go out to the tent, have a midnight feast, read some stories and then hopefully catch some sleep.  I don't even think he remembers being woken and once snug inside the tent he promptly fell fast asleep again.  Didn't phase him one bit!  Daddy was a little bit sore given the contorted starfish sleeping position he had to endure.

However, bright eyed and bushy tailed we all set off for the beach this afternoon.

A rustic old gate that I couldn't resist photographing and our first glimpse of the sea.

I remember trips to Lunan Bay during the school holidays, when Mum would pack up our psychedelic folding garden chairs and a string bag full of cheese sandwiches, apples, Golden Wonder crisps and bottles of diluted Kia-ora juice (it was always over-diluted and very warm).  As long as she had her book and we had our buckets and spades, were were happy to spend the day, swimming and playing, occasionally running back to base for sustenance.

Spot my Cath Kidston/Tesco bags!

It really is a beautiful spot and uncrowded, even at this time of year.  We indulged in a spot of dune sliding which involved throwing all maturity out the window and belting it down the sand dunes as fast as you could while trying to stay upright and minimising the amount of sand collected in your underwear on route!  Great fun, felt like those old school holiday days again.

  

Hope you're enjoying the sun too, wherever you are.  Before I go, a big thank you to Heidi who has passed on to me a "Brillante Weblog" award.  I am so chuffed!  You must go and read Heidi's blog - Foxgloves, Fabric and Folly.  It is one of the most enthusiastic and imaginitive blogs out there.  Thanks again!  I am supposed to pass this onto 7 other deserving bloggers but it would take me forever to choose so I will dedicate it to all of my favourites in my sidebar.  So ladies, best frocks on and speeches prepared, this one's for you...

And the winner is...

{Drum roll} 

Heather!!  

If you'd like to email me at little_blue_door@yahoo.co.uk with your postal address with a little bit about yourself so I can tailor your "mystery gifts" and a brown paper package will magically wing it's way to you!

We're all having a holiday at home this week.  Little boy is going to spend his first night camping in the garden in a very small tent that daddy's feet stick out of.  I will of course be on standby at 3am with hot chocolate and cuddles when it all goes pear-shaped.

Back soon. x

Co-co the caravan from the Ladybird book "Tootles the Taxi" a childhood favourite of mine.  Leaves a warm glow, doesn't it?

50th post, a birthday and a giveaway!

It just so happens that this is my 50th post on Clover Yard.  I'm so glad I began this blog.  Apart from anything, it got me through a very dreary winter and it continues to be a pleasure to post about my weekly potterings.  The wonderful bonus of it all is sharing it with like-minded individuals.  There I was, going through life thinking that I must be the only one who loved, just for the sake of it, colourful ribbon, flowery pillowcases, faded eiderdowns, teapots and flowery china teacups...you get the picture, when all along - there you were, loving those things too.  I'm so glad we met.

As a small token of my friendship I am giving away one of the blue spotty Cath Kidston Eco bags from Tesco (minus the groceries!).  I will be including another couple of mystery treats too.  I know that in some parts of the country these bags have been a little hard to come by (probably because the Scottish contingency are snapping up 4 at a time - oops).  Just leave a comment and I will choose the lucky winner from a draw on Friday 18th July.

Special birthday wishes go to little boy who was 4 yesterday.  Didn't we have a lovely day little one.  The party is on Saturday but this was my favourite bit - tea, scones and cake at the kitchen table with grannies and granda and auntie, just like I remember as a child.

Where have the last 4 years gone? x  

Secret Gardens

There are some beautiful old houses in our village with walled gardens and as I walk by them I often imagine what is over those high walls.  I was in for a treat today as for one day a year, around 10 private gardens open their gates and let nosey parkers like myself have a wander around.  Some of these gardens were beyond my imagination, I really did feel like Alice in Wonderland.

I couldn't find the rabbit hole, but do mind your head on the little blue door...

Must stop and smell the apricot roses...

I wonder where this leads to...

Pretty cottage borders of blue delphiniums and fiery alstromeria...

I wouldn't mind a little peek in this window...

Let's stop for a rest at this dreamy oasis...

Such a pretty combination, aqua and pink don't you think?

A novel way of recycling those glass bottles, better than a poke in the eye!

Now just you sit down here and I'll be back soon with some cream teas. 

If I could just find that little door again...

Scary bag lady

I nearly had to request a paper bag to breathe into today as I hyperventilated over the gorgeous new Cath Kidston eco-shopping bags at Tesco.  At first I spotted a rather lovely flowery pattern at the end of the aisle and as I went to investigate I saw the Cath Kidston label - gasp! breathe! and then the checkout lady piped up "yeah aren't they great, there are blue spotty ones too".  Gasp again.  Three checkout assistants later, a holler from Sheila at the bottom till and a wave of blue polka dot bag in the air, I happily left with 2 of each design.  Kind of defeats the purpose of it being one bag for life eh?  I have heard that there may be more designs on the way.  At £3.50 each with 50p to Marie Curie Cancer Care and made from recycled plastic bottles, I think it's gonna be eco-bags at dawn ladies.  Get out and grab one while you can!