Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Windmill Hill Walk

Thursday 24th April

With Graham away, by Thursday I was in need of some company and so persuaded Robert that he might like some moral support. Drove to his house and after a cup of tea (or two) we left in the direction of Beacon Hill where Robert regularly cycles to (up). Just before we got there we noticed a small car park on the side of the road and decided to stop and explore somewhere new. We had a really lovely walk over the top of a hill and down into the picturesque village of Woodhouse Eaves. On the way back we scurried up to the highest point and found the restored base of a long gone windmill and a seat on which to sit and contemplate the world...

The Old Bull's Head

Just down from Windmill Hill there was a posh looking pub and Robert suggested we stop and have some tea. The menu looked expensive, but the quality was excellent and tasted delicious. After our 'main', Robert couldn't resist having a dessert of waffles, chocolate sauce and ice cream.

Surprisingly the waiter was also psychic and brought us two spoons...

Peckwash Mill Chimney

When we lived at our previous house, if you leaned out of the bedroom window, you could just see this chimney in the distance. I didn't know how famous it was until I put the photo on Flickr and looked it up. Peckwash Mill has enjoyed a long and varied history. The chimney was built in 1895.

Peckwash Mill

This house and one further to the left are still being renovated. Photoshop has kindly helped me remove the three builders vans....

An Afternoon Stroll...

Wednesday 23rd April

Another sunny day which got progressively warmer as the hours ticked by. Decided not to venture too far, so drove to Little Eaton and parked behind the playing field. I was hoping for some blossom pics, but what I found was much more exciting. As you drive from Little Eaton to Duffield all you are aware of is the narrowness of the road and the need to keep a sharp look out for any other car that is attempting to share it with you. Luckily there is a footpath and just where the road narrows down to nothing I found a sign for a footpath.

Dipping down the bank, it passes by the chimney of a long gone mill. Passing on further there is a beautiful view of houses appearing to be perched on the bank. The angle belies that fact that they are inches away from the narrow road, but so picturesque...

Monday, April 28, 2008

Light Against Dark...


The Path To Discovery...

Tuesday 22nd April

The weather decided to mellow today and all the harsh icy winds we have experienced recently turned mild and the sun came out. Trying to take advantage, I jumped in the car and headed for unknown territory - well, just the other side of Derby. There were peaceful ponds, horses in meadows and even pheasants that didn't shy away.

I had a good walk, but the ground under foot was still quite damp as was the muddy pot hole I got the car stuck in...

MiddletonTop, High Peak Trail, Derbyshire

Saturday 19th April

Saturday is a very strange day to be completely on your own, so despite the weather being pretty dismal, I attempted to make the most of it.

After lunch, I drove to the Stone Centre, applied training shoes and a positive attitude and attempted to put my best foot forward. I walked up the incline to Middleton Top and then along the High Peak Trail as far as I could go. I felt a bit like Forest Gump passing the state line, but there came a time when the prospect of a cup of tea and a ginger biscuit had more appeal than what lay over the next hill...

Saturday, April 26, 2008

New Addition On Etsy...


Blue Sky Reflection Bag
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Etsy Shop
IN BRIEF

Monday 14th April

There are many events that take place in your life and you hold your breath and say: "I wish that hadn't happened". (Conversely, there are even more times when nice things happen and the experience makes you feel 'warm' inside.) But today I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. As with all similar events, when things go wrong it's usually my fault - and this was no exception. Suffice to say I had an altercation with another human being - (which was unusual in itself... ) I was deeply upset by the incident and it has taken me nearly a fortnight to come to terms with what happened. Having said all that, I realize that there has been a positive end result and perhaps now I can 'move on'.

The incident...? It involved a footpath, a muckspreader and someone who I hope never to have to cross paths with again... enough said...

Tuesday 15th April

Graham left for America, did manage to get up and wish him 'goodbye' and then went back to bed. 6.00am is far too early for someone like me.
A different boiler man came to finish sorting the boiler out. Again, this chap was also charming as boiler men go and earned himself a cup of coffee. He needed to fit a filter to the oil tank, for which he needed to access the oil tank. He didn't seem too fazed when I explained hesitantly that he would need to take the whole door off as the door 'escaped' from its hinges during the last spell of windy weather.

It is now four weeks since my piano pupils took their piano exams. After much perseverance, I did get through to the Royal School Of Music, but all they could say was the results had now been posted. Had an email in the evening to say that 'results can now be viewed on line'. Great was my relief to discover that both had passed!

Wednesday 16th April

During these holidays I have been trying to get a few more things on my Etsy shop. Today I put up the handbag charms I have been making.

Thursday 17th April

Busy day putting up my new bags on Etsy and sorting out my Craft lesson for tomorrow.

It has not been my most joyful week, especially when, as I guiltily nibbled on one of my favourite cornflake cakes just before bedtime and heard a dreaded 'ping' come from a back tooth... it had somehow managed to split the tooth. The wobbly bit was not good news...

Friday 18th April

After a good night's sleep and an early morning, I almost felt ready to face the classroom again. But first I had to ring the dentist and ask for an emergency appointment. Luckily the receptionist said to come straight down. I arrived at 10 past 9, went in at 20 to 10, was out at 10 to 10 and teaching 'as normal' at 10.00. My 'second in command' (experienced Learning Partner) had thought to bring her daughter to help out which was also a 'godsend' and I arrived home at half past 12 not too badly the worse for wear... I still had the afternoon to contend with...

3.00pm was the time of my appointment to get a second opinion about Hermione at the doctor's. I have to say that initially I was disappointed with the outcome. Here again was someone who seemed to delight in poking and prodding me and then announce that there was 'nothing that could be causing a problem' - now where have I heard that before...? He said that maybe we are looking at a two year time span before things 'settle down'. I think I heard myself pleading with him to give me another appointment, so that I don't feel as abandoned as I do now. He did say that perhaps I needed something to 'fool the nerve endings' and prescribed a cream made from chillies. It only works after I've been in a hot bath - it's like having your own electric heater applied to the skin. I admit I was very sceptical, but I have been applying the cream... and it seems to be working...

Monday, April 21, 2008

On The Ancestry Trail...

Saturday 12th April

Another freezing cold day, but ideal if you are researching your family tree from inside of a warm car! It is very sad that two members of our recent family succumbed to the unforgiving illness of tuberculosis. Selina Proffitt (Watkins), my grand mother, who I have written about on our trip to Bilston and now Edith Wood (Curtis). She was Graham's grand-father's first wife and had two children, Richard and Edward. Graham is descended from the second wife Alice who had five further children. Edith was in service most of her life to a household in London and met her husband (William Curtis) who was in the Grenadier Guards, also in London. She was born and died in Ombersley in Worcestershire.

Lunch Time Stop...

On our travels out recently, Graham has developed a radar which is activated around lunchtime. He can spot a tea room or similar within a 100 yard radius, and today was no exception. The exception was the place its self. I can only liken it to the house where my great aunt used to live, (before they flattened it and it began part of the Co-op car park...)

The food was all home cooked and excellent!

Seeing Is Believing...


Time For Tea...

Hartlebury Castle as well as being home until recently to the Bishops of Worcester, is also home to a very sweet little museum. The best bit being the very welcoming tea room...

(I'd recommend the biscuits!)

Museum Entrance, Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire


Edith's Birth and Death Place...

At last, we stumbled across a village of significance. Edith Wood's parents lived here in Ombersley and at one point were listed amongst other things as butchers, which fitted in nicely with a grand butcher's shop next to these houses. Unfortunately, the butcher link didn't check out and although Edith returned home and ended her days where she began, we found no trace of her in the graveyard.

We did however find a five pound note lying on the gravel and unable to find a chink in the church doors to post it through, decided we should take it home. The following Wednesday three of my numbers came up...

Published Again...


Belper East Mill
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Wednesday 9th April

Sent this in slightly cropped. At least the colours came out well.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Don't Look Now...

Wednesday 9th April

Robert and I had discussed having a day out today. We had planned on London, but one of us had overslept due to a late night swimming excursion. We eventually met up at Derby and caught the train to Birmingham. I think I was lucky to get this photo as security guards were swarming everywhere and I've since found out that photography is not encouraged. (See Flickr comments) Initially I was disappointed with the picture quality, but someone put it into a self propelling panorama software and I could watch it for hours. (Again, thanks to Chris from my Flickr group)

What To Do With Silver Smarties...

The trip was worth it just to see the Selfridges building and as we stood there taking photos, the clouds parted and we were warmed by the sun's rays - it felt really hot!

Are You Dave Gorman...?


Per Dave Gorman...?
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis
Dave Gorman has been on every chat show you can name this week promoting the programme he made about travelling across America and using independent hotels and gas stations rather than the familiar well known names. He's always been a hero of Robert's and he can take a mean photo (has his own Flickr site), but I have to agree with Graham on the content of the programme... it was 'pretty pants' by all accounts.

All credit to him that the book of his travels is in the top 10 list....

(If you're wondering why this photo, apparently he takes photos of bill boards with people walking past...)

Forward Or Back...?

We did manage one exhibition at the art gallery, 'Art Of The Stitch' which was excellent if you like quilts made from Action Man clothes or even parts of Guinness cans - which I do. In the foyer was this amazing 3-D piece of art work, where the squares at the back actually project forward. Apparently it's by a chap called Patrick Hughes who had his own exhibition at the art gallery around January 2007 (thanks to David Lewis-Baker from Flickr)

The Easy Way Up...?

Saturday 5th April

Graham went to the doctor's last week to review his latest blood test. The news was not good, his blood sugar level is so high now that he needs to take even more tablets to reduce the ratio. I had been enlisted to help, but trying to keep sweets and biscuits out of reach/sight is not always the easiest thing to do. I decided instead to concentrate on us both getting fitter and so both benefiting.

My challenge this week-end was to walk up to The Heights of Abraham. If you've ever been, you will know how steep the climb is, you even have to pay for the privilege!

The weather was against us from the start. But having dodged several icy showers we reached the top.

It was definitely worth the effort...

Scared Of Heights...?


On Top Of The World...


Thursday, April 10, 2008

Derby's Catholic Church...

This normally hectic place in the middle of Derby looks calm and serene at this time of night. The 'shiny' new bridge you can see in the foreground has recently been replaced over a busy dual carriageway beneath.

Night Lights...


The 'Right' Thing To Do...

How often do we pass by this monument without a second glance?

It caused quite a stir when it was first erected, not because it looked out of place, but because there was a spelling mistake on it!
IN BRIEF

Monday 31st March

Robert got up early and had a lift to the station with Graham. Lucy and I spent some of the day getting on with some work, - or one of us did...

Tuesday 1st April

No time for April Fool's Day. Had to get all my teaching records up to date, including writing Course Evaluations ready for a 'one to one' with my Line Manager in the afternoon. Dropped Lucy in town on the way and picked her up on the way back, two hours later. Unfortunately had lost track of time and was late back for four o'clock piano lesson.

Thursday 3rd April

Graham and I went out for a meal at Le Bistro Pierre (used to be called Pierre Victoire). It does have lovely food, if a little 'rich' for me. I had creamy mushrooms on brioche (Graham, thai fishcakes) for starters and chicken for main (Graham, pork, bacon and cheesy sauce). I've never been anywhere where I didn't like any of the vegetables though, shredded beetroot, sliced courgettes and cheesy sliced potato... I consoled myself with the fact that I was full after the starter. Afterwards went for a walk round town as Hermione was complaining having been sitting on a hard seat for an hour. It was really mild, still and clear. Took some reasonable shots of the Catholic Cathedral with its new bridge and Friargate Bridge - all without a tripod, OK, so I did use support...

Friday 4th April

There has been so much to do on the website this week and yesterday was no exception. I was just about to absent myself from the computer when I got an email from a researcher on The Paul O'Grady Show. Paul has just helped to launch a Save The Children initiative to get people to learn to knit so they can knit hats for new-borns and help save their lives. They needed someone to go on the show and teach him to knit and they also requested information on any "interesting/'different/surreal forms of knitting style..." Never one to shy away from a challenge, I spent hours contacting people, finding out the information requested, took a big breath and rang the chap back, only to find he was off sick...

Published Again...

Saturday 29th April

Out of synch here... must get my act together!

Monday, April 07, 2008

Demolition Derby...

Sunday 30th March

Graham was up early this morning collecting an American work colleague from Birmingham airport. (Poor chap was back before Robert and I were up.)

In the afternoon we went and took some photos of a theatre in Derby at the centre of a "shall we knock it down", "no, let's save it", "it's behind you" scandal. Victoria Wilcox, pictorial editor of The Derby Evening Telegraph was there the same time as we were - and she recognised me from the day I spent with them in June last year.

It's clear the developer will have the last laugh...

Major Walk...

Back home we discovered Robert had disappeared on a long walk and taken the door key with him. (Geniuses, just don't think ahead!) Luckily, with his long legs, he was soon back and to make up for his short sojourn, I agreed to go on another walk with him. We made our way towards the route of the long gone railway which originally wound its way from Derby via Breadsall and Stanley and beyond. We followed new footpaths, clambered over new styles, past fields of new lambs and sheep and finally back up the road to Morley Church, it was a long way.

So long that by now Robert had missed his last train home, but it was fun...

Spring At Morley Church