Writing this listening to the sound of rain on the caravan roof. Better than sitting at home in the rain though, much cosier. It hasn't rained all day anyway, just on and off. I am at Bromyard Downs which is a pretty little site built on the site of an old quarry, with a lower level (where I am) and an upper level. Went for a walk round the site and took a few photos.
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The last couple of years during September I have made damson jam. This year however I have been struggling to find damsons till Mark and Michelle noticed a whole row of trees loaded with damsons when they were on their morning run. So, on Monday afternoon the three of us picked three bags full. (I should add that the trees didn't belong to anyone, they were between the road and a public footpath). They were very good quality damsons, hardly any to throw away and there was 9lb (don't do kilos) altogether. I prepared and cooked them on Tuesday night, took the stones out when they were cold today and made 20 jars of yummy jam! Just need to label them and add pretty covers. Last year during the first lock down I bought a ticket for the Black Country Museum to help them out and today I decided it was about time I used it before the weather turns. Unfortunately so did a lot of other people and it was very busy. Because of this I didn't go into all of the properties so my photographs are a bit limited. Still, I can go back as often as I like over the next 12 months so I'll try to pick a quieter time next visit. Lots of references around the site to where various scenes in Peaky Blinders were filmed. Can you spot the table set with drinks among the anchors and chains? The black country signs made me smile.
Awoke this morning to the sound of rain on the caravan roof but within an hour it had cleared up and gone sunny again. Last day of Heritage Open Days so this time we went to the needle museum in Redditch. I was always told as a child when we drove trough Redditch to visit relatives in Leamington Spa that it was famous for making needles so I was interested to see the museum. Apparently Redditch once made 90% of the World's needles. The museum is set in Victorian times and it appears it was a very labour intensive and painstaking operation with many processes to complete. Parts of which were very unhealthy due to the dust created. It was all driven by water power from the river. Besides the many types of sewing needles, from surgical to leather, Redditch also made knitting needles and crochet hooks, sewing machine needles, hat pins, gramophone needles and fishing hooks. There were some lovely framed displays. Millwards was the largest producer. There was a display of knitting needle size gauges and I was surprised to see one very much like one I have at home so when I got back I took a photo of it to compare. Mine is on the right. After the museum we went on a guided tour of Bordesley Abbey which is next to the museum. Although now just ruins it was interesting to learn of the history from the guide who was very knowledgeable. Nice sunny day after a misty start. Decided we would go to Evesham. Walked along by the river then checked out the charity shops and The Works and picked up a few things. Ate our picnic and then went to Alcester to the Roman Museum. All of the artefacts were found around the town and it was one of the best collections I have seen. A walk round the town to check out some more charity shops and then back to sit out for the rest of the day. Matt and Kay came about 4.00pm which was nice and we all sat around chatting till it got dark. A nice relaxing day. Happy birthday to me! 68 years young today. Thank you to everyone for all my lovely cards and presents. Went to B&Q for a look round and bought some plants for the garden. All perennials and nice bright colours. Mark, Michelle, Anais and Roman have now joined me and we enjoyed tea outside under the gazebo. Michelle made a delicious blueberry and lime cake and we opened the mead that I bought from Lindisfarne. Back in the caravan!. There will not be too many more opportunities so have to make the most of it. Weather much better than I expected, really warm. Arrived about lunch time, set up and then went to Aldi to pick up a few things. Have been looking for some clogs to keep on the doormat in the van, to slip on quickly when I need to go to the tap or somewhere. I had some for years but they gave up the ghost this year. Anyway, what did I find in Aldi....only some fur lined ones!. Also treated myself to a nice bunch of flowers. Heritage Open Days started on the 10th and goes on until the 19th. There doesn't seem to be so many places open this year, which I guess is not surprising, but recommended by Mark and Michelle I went to Hartlebury Castle on Sunday. I haven't been there for 50 years (giving my age away) when I went with a school friend. It used to be the home of the bishops of Worcester and also contains the county museum which was really good. These first few pictures are from the bishop's house. There were also some beautiful examples of needlework done by local people. Some tapestry kneelers in the chapel and some re-creations of chair covers originally created by Lady Carew, a renowned needlewoman, in 1918. Needlework always fascinates me. I wish I was that good. The museum was really interesting. There was a display of the 1950's and I'm afraid I could remember everything in it! (Giving my age away again). I actually had one of the toy sewing machines in the picture. Love the 50's dresses. There was also an interesting display of farming in Worcestershire, focussing on the main crops produced such as asparagus, hops and fruit. Here are a few random pictures from the rest of the museum inside. I was fascinated to read about the Bromsgrove Guild, an association of international designer craftsmen who worked in a variety of materials including metal, wood, stone and glass and produced the gates for Buckingham Palace, the bronze doors to the Bank of England, two of the Liver Bird statues on the Royal Liver Building in Liverpool and many memorials commemorating the 1st World War. Who knew! Outside there is an excellent collection of gypsy and showman's caravans as well as other horse drawn vehicles and a car made in Kidderminster. |
AuthorI am Jenny (when I was little my dad always called me Jenny Wren) and I enjoy making hand crafted things. Watch this space to see what I am working on. Archives
October 2021
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