Across to The Mill

I couldn't count the number of times we have wandered past Sprint Mill, catching glimpses of it's treasures through the cobweb threaded windows or ajar doors, nor the number of times we have been tempted to sneak in! When we heard they were having an open day, as part of the National Gardens Scheme- Open Gardens, we were among the first in line to enter.

Immediately we were greeted by hens roaming the pathways and some very friendly goats housed behind a beautiful handmade gate, which somehow looked very 'Goaty'

Then on to the Mill; It was crammed to the rafters with three floors of wonderful objects, furniture, boats, tools, toys and everything that had ever been treasured by the family who had lived there for the last forty years.
The Mill itself is used for storage and work shop space with the beautiful Mill house next door, which on the open day was serving homemade cakes and teas. Here's what I managed to get pictures of, however it was very dark inside and I was keeping an eye on Joel around all the tools.

This boat was made by the Mill owner

Well organised. Loving 'Broken Dolls'

Woven chair made by the Mill owner

Check out this blue beauty

'I know what I am doing!'

Lots of lovely old tools were everywhere

I would love a cabinet like this one day

This impressive bench was sat next to the river

We spotted this teeny weeny cluster of bugs on the arm of it

Joel found a rope swing

It was a great day out and just across the field from us. I came away full of aspirations to one day have a big big space to keep everything ever in.

Dream Kitschen

                         

I've kept these for years, ever since my Granddad died, they have moved house nine times. These samples of Formica worktop had been hanging up in his garage since the 1960s; a proper garage with tools, seedlings and keeping apples wrapped up in brown paper and stacked high in boxes. I remember playing with them as a child during my summer holidays in Wrea Green, my grandparents village; a proper Lancashire village with a dub (duck pond), a cricket team and an annual Field Day (a highlight of my younger years).

I love the way each sample is so delicately thin, like a posh biscuit, and they make a nice clickety clattery noise when you try and pick them all up. Each pattern is very stylish, you can imagine 1960s housewives pouring over them, hankering after just a couple of metres of such a dreamy prep space in their kitchen.

This gold speckled pattern is called Sequin, available in Black, Red (pencilled on the sample are the dimensions required for the Wrea Green Institute bar) and Mushroom. I imagine the sales pitch; Let the glitz and glamour of the ballroom breath elegant rhythm into your veg prep, 'Cha Cha Chop'

The mosaic pattern is called Capri; Echoes of jet bound ventures to holiday islands, transporting you while you task to warm climates and early evening cocktails.

I think I'll keep them forever, just because.

Wish we were there

Since I last blogged I have got a job (Joel calls it "Clever Mummys little job") we had a family holiday for a whole ten days and also have an allotment opposite our house awaiting some crops. How exciting eh!
The holiday was one of those where you feel like you need another holiday straight after, I think its always like that when you have children, theres no sign of any rest or relaxation when little folk are around. The change of scene and time together as a family was most welcome though.

We stayed in sunny Dorset and managed to hook up with our good pals Lisa and Margot for the first three days of our stay. We visited Swanage and went on a windswept playground by the sea

Took a trip on a steam train (choo choo) to Corfe Castle

Where we found a model village, of Corfe itself! One day I would love to make a model village of where I live.

The extensive gardens were great for children and adults with nooks and corners to explore, garden games and picnic spots.

Another day we visited Peppa Pig World, for those of you who don't know Peppa is an annoying, bossy pig with mass appeal to toddlers. It was a very well thought out theme park and it felt like you were actually in one of the cartoons while you were there.

However trauma struck at the front of a long queue when Joel was unable to go on a Dinosaur ride due to height restrictions. Its bothered him since and he has shed many a tear over it (we all did actually) The designated height is now marked on the kitchen wall with a dinosaur along with the promise of a go on it when he is tall enough.
Despite this we had a fantastic time and Joel got to meet Peppa herself! Que dodgy photo taken in a mum scrum...

From one world to another; Monkey World was another great outing. We had visited before but in winter and when Joel was tiny. Its the most amazing animal sanctuary. All their monkeys are rescued from sad lives, usually mistreated as pets (a trade which is not illegal) leaving them with lasting mental and physical damage. In the sanctuary they can live out their days in a fantastic purpose built environment. Check out the baby Orangutan, she was supposed to be hidden under the sheet with her Mum but kept dashing out to say hello to the onlookers and play with the other adults. Every now and then an extra long arm would come out of the sheet and pull her back under.

Joel loved it, especially the amount of outdoor climbing available. At the far end of the sanctuary it opened out into huge playing/picnic fields with an enormous climbing area, like nothing we'd seen before. Super high and pretty difficult Joel made short work of it with his chimp like moves (and a bit of Daddy help) All worth it for a go in a super fast bendy slide! I wonder what the monkeys made of them?

Climbing was somewhat of a theme, every time we went back to the flat (in an uber cool 1960s apartment block) Joel 'had' to climb up the ornate balustrade, shouting up the stairs "just leave the door open for me".

Hot pebbles under our feet on Lyme Regis beach.

I love the architecture there, check out the hexagonal slate tiles on the front of this house!

Love is................. The Donkey Sanctuary at Sidmouth.

The highlight of Lulworth Castle for Joel was this Postman Pat charity box, no really it was.

That and playing quoits in the castle gardens. Check out the views of Lulworth cove in the background, it was the most idyllic setting.

Hide and Seek ruled as the new game to play at any time

There were two of these lions in Bournemouth gardens, we told Joel they were sleeping and to be very careful not to wake them, however, Joels philosophy is that you haven't seen something unless you've climbed it.

A hunting we will go

Not since I was a child have the Easter holidays meant so much as I feel they do this year. Joel is at an age now where he can fully appreciate what's happening and so far there has been plenty.

We started the holidays at our good friends Easter party. Fresh air, digging, chasing, watching horses go by, moving with the sun, making baskets, eating butties and buns and (of course) hunting for eggs kept a gaggle of little'uns and big'uns happy.

That same weekend we met our great nephew for the first time. I'd forgotten how to hold a tiny baby so let Mr B hold him for our picture. Joel wasn't feeling very sociable and tried his hardest to sabotage the picture by blowing a raspberry, it was taken just as he laughed at his own joke so smiles all round.

A brilliant Easter parcel arrived from MD (Cuncle) which brought about the arrival, and fascination with, Lego in the form of a mega sticker book (Joel loves "ticking")

It was fascinating watching him stick people in line with the perspective of the images and where there were shadows denoting where the stickers should go he attempted sticking it face down, really carefully. It was cool. He's cool.

Gagga bought him a new trike, an early birthday present as if the weather is anything like last years waiting until his actual birthday would mean no triking. He spent most of the day carefully stacking items in the back of it, so proud of the results he said "Mummy take my picture"

Joel and I caught up with an old pal, who I hadn't seen since getting married. We visited Canopy The Woollen Woods, a woodland art installation of wildlife made from wool and felt.

It was great fun exploring the woods looking for critters. The work had been made by people from all over, they are still taking submissions so its a constantly evolving and growing piece.

Joel was obsessed with who might live through this door. He shouted "Hello. Are you in?" through it and said he could hear someone coming down the stairs inside.

I said that maybe an owl lived there but had got too fat to use his front door, Joel found that a plausible answer and low and behold if there wasn't a big fat owl sat in the branches!!

Weirdly seeing this little door tied into an idea I had just the day before, confirming to me it was a good one. I will keep you posted on it.

Oh and I got a new job which I start on Tuesday, eeek first job in three years. Excited, nervous, tired...all of the above. Again I'll keep you posted!