A Christmas escape.

Tree and I decided to escape from everything and have a few days at Ragdale Hall, a five star Hydro Health Spa, in Leicestershire. This was my second visit, Tree's third, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants some quality time getting pampered, relaxed and well fed. I opted for a dry floatation with scalp massage and a full body massage each day. I would have spent more time in the Hydro section, especially the Candlelit caves, but one can't fit it all in so I will have to go back another time!

Now we are feeling refreshed we can tackle the rest of the Yuletide activities with a bit more vigour, even though we are spending it quietly at home.

Merry Yule or how to lose a year of blogging.

Well you can't say I didn't try it. It's now been a year since I blogged as The Prof and I gave facebook a go instead. As you can see, I'm back and the least said the better.

Tree and I saw in the Solstice by going to British Camp and watching the sunrise over Bredon Hill. Considering the bad weather of late we were very lucky to see it at all. As it is, the shafts of sunlight that crept out across the Worcester basin, like thin fingers of fire, were quite amazing. A special moment spent with a special person.

So it only remains for me to say, Solstice Blessings for a Merry Yule and good fortune and happiness be with you whoever, or wherever, you are.

Get away for the day. No 2

Well, when I say get away for the day I should say weekend. Anyway, Tree and I decided that we should enjoy a break at the Bay Hotel and Spa, as we did last year, just get away from it all. The drive to Cornwall was pleasant and we stopped at Glastonbury to have the obligatory lunch at the Rainbows End Veggie Cafe. At the spa,I opted for the full back massage and felt like a new man, as they say, afterwards. The hotel was quiet with only a few guests and this made it all the better for relaxing and unwinding. We booked a room with a beautiful sea view as well, so all in all a good chillout weekend!

Merry Sahmain!

Where does the year go? It seems only like a blink of the eye and I'm back to carving another set of pumpkins. To celebrate this year, Kate and Matt came over to share a Sahmain meal and see the evening out. This year I created two carving designs. One was based on a Maori star which I carved with our initials to show, and celebrate, my love for Tree. The other design was of a figure holding a lantern to signify the importance of this time of year when we acknowledge the coming of the dark winter and take time to look back at the year. The lantern is a symbol of hope, a light in the encroaching dark and a beacon to light the way ahead.

Kate and Matt weren't able to get a pumpkin in time so came up with the brilliant idea of painting Kate's bump instead. Having the two them sharing this time with us meant a lot and I took time out to say a few words of hope and good luck for the future of our niece to be.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year and Sahmain blessings.

Get away for the day.

Sometimes in the midst of all the madness, you just have to get away from it all. So Tree and I decided to go to Mwnt beach, in Cardigan, Wales, for the day and watch the sunset. Enough said!!

Who says you don't see wldlife in the city?

A common myth, when living near the centre of town, is that you don't see much wildlife other than your bog standard sparrows, etc. Well I beg to differ! The other day I could hear what sounded like a hammering in the Sycamore tree at the end of the garden. I went out to investigate and just as I was wondering what it was, down flew a Greater Spotted Woodpecker, bold as you like, which started munching on the bird table as if I wasn't there. Seemingly unafraid of my presence, she hung around for a bit and then flew back up into the tree to have a peck at a hole she had started previously. My hope is that it may nest there and we can watch as it rears it's young. I will keep you posted.

Merry Mabon.

So we reach halfway through the harvest time and Tree and I are enjoying the fruits of our labours. Mabon or Autumnal equinox marks a time of balance in day and night and a time to gather in oneself and reflect. A time to give thanks to our bountiful Mother. Tree cooked us up a brilliant breakfast including the first of our homegrown, organic tomatoes to mark the day. Merry Mabon to you all.

Up, up and away.

August Bank Holiday Monday and there is only one place to go and that is the Bristol Balloon Festival. All sizes, all shapes and all over the place, balloons in formation or single seaters, you've got them all. Even though the weather wasn't great the spectacle was. As the darkness of night draws in they light up the balloons in sequence to music as well. Fantastic!

Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna!!

This Bank Holiday Kat, Matt, Tree and I decided to visit Croome Court for the Krishna Festival. This event was to remember the time that the Krishna movement took over the estate from 1979 to 1984. Although I grew up living next to Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, I never knew that they had such a strong presence in Worcester. This accounts for why Tree thought they lived everywhere as she grew up with the same impression as I did.

There was a number of activities to see including Theatre, Meditations, a tour of the estate and stalls. Tree was shown how to put a saree on which was great fun as the wind was very strong. The Prasadam, blessed food offered to Krishna, was delicious as ever and even Matt enjoyed himself I think. I felt a little sad on leaving as I miss the contact that I had with ISKCON when I was in London. Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.

White Leaved Oak.

Followers of this blog will know that I have wittered on about the White Leaved Oak for years. Right from when I had the shop, where I heard about it for the first time, I have tried, and failed, to find its exact location. Finding the hamlet is no problem but the tree is steeped in mystery. Rumoured to be a 1000 years old, it grows on a large stone somewhere between the hamlet and the base of the Malvern Hills. It's trunk has an image of the 'Old Hag' in it and it's branches are decorated in all manner of ribbons, trinkets and offerings. The trunk is hollow in the middle and you can climb down into it. Three people would comfortably fit inside. No made up road leads to it and you have to have a mind to find it in the first place. After Tree and I found it, to mark Lammas and our handfasting anniversary, I was tempted to put its location for all to find on the internet but then I thought 'No!' it must remain hidden. I believe it is like a pilgrimage and should only be seen by those who really seek it out. It's anonymity is its magic. If you find it, I am sure the peace and serenity of the whole place will fill you with awe. Happy hunting!!

3 Villages Festival

A hot sunny summer weekend and what else is there to do but go and find a village fayre or two. As it is we had a pitch at the 3 Villages Festival held by Mathon, Cradley and Storridge. It was a typical village affair with evrything from a blacksmith to local folk in funny outfits ( check out 'bogbrush' man for a laugh). We did fairly well for trade on the Saturday but we didn't need to be there for the Sunday as we just had a return of all the villagers from the previous day. All the same it was the taking part that was important and it was good to see that traditions were maintained with some Morris Dancers and a May Pole, even if it is July!

Food glorious food.

Today is a bit of a celebration as Tree cooked our first meal where all of the ingredients, excepting the curry powder, were grown by our fair hand. Mother has been gracious to us in providing a bounty of courgettes, so much so, that we can't give them away fast enough. Every day I find more to crop. I guess planting 25 plants was something to do with it. Anyway, swapping some with neighbours for apples and some honey, from a friends new hives, has proved lucrative and reminds me of the days when people used to barter most things. I won't even begin to rattle on about the taste!!!

Welcome to the Crypt

Many moons ago I made a cover for the cellar light which had a stained glass panel in the top. Much as it was nice to look at, I hadn't banked on the effects our great climate would have on it and, sadly, it succumbed to the relentless rain and cold of last winter and had to be removed. Armed with the knowledge of where I had gone wrong I embarked on making a new, stronger, cover that some would say was more in keeping with the house and my craft. Having a lot of Yew, left over from the old 'A' board I made for outside the shop, I constructed a robust hatch with hand forged wrought iron hinges to finish it off. All of the materials were reclaimed, including the brass fretwork which came from the Midland Bank, and items obtained from the Worcester Resource Exchange. All in all not a bad job, if I say so myself!

Solstice blessings.

I can't believe that the time has flown by so quickly and yet here we are at the Summer Solstice. Everything has been on the up and all of our seedlings are planted out now and enjoying a bit of Summer sun. It was definitely the right choice to turn the garden over to veg and we are already eating some of the first crops of carrots. In addition to the garden, I have been working hard to get ready for the 3 Villages Festival with only a few days to go. After this I will concentrate on the house and garden for a while before moving onto my next project to build a wind turbine.

Solstice Blessings!!!

Dome,Dome, Dome.(Hummed like dramatic entrance)

Fireworks explode, crowds roar and shouts of "Hoorah" are heard from the rooftops. I have finished the Geodesic dome. Well I have finished the frame at least. I was up early this Saturday to see whether it all went together as I wasn't sure I had worked out the Maths right. But no worries as it all went smoothly. I now just need to calculate a way to make the cover, windows and doorways for it. Not much then !!!! The overall expense was minimal as the wood is FSC and the fixings made from recycled water main. Never underestimate the power of the pentagon or the number 5. I shall keep you posted.

Not very...well smart really.

Some people just aren't that smart. A bit like the person who didn't check which way up a letter 'a' goes.

Its the Good Life

Feeling that we should make a lot more effort into going green and doing our bit for the planet, Tree persuaded me to turn the front garden over to vegetable growing a la Good Life style. Seeing as it is Beltane it only seemed appropriate to agree and work has already begun with the removal of most of the lawn in readiness for sowing. Our aim is to maintain at least half of our vegetable intake from home grown stock. Plants grown will include tomatoes, carrots, parsnips, shallots, peas, courgettes, french climbing beans, runner beans, beetroot, aubergines, peppers, lettuce and a selection of herbs and salad veg. To make sure they get the best to drink I have fitted a rain trap to a large barrel to collect rainwater from our roof as well. So fingers crossed and a small blessing, or two, from The Great Mother and we will be going great guns!!

Beltane blessings.

The Green Man has won over the Ice queen and all the buds are bursting with the vigour of Spring. Now is the moment when all the seeds sown start to show themselves.

Celebrate with fire, passion and a new fervour for the year ahead.

Did someone mention something about a wedding?

Ages ago I was saying to Kate and Matt how the fireworks at royal weddings were the best ever and that next time a royal gets married we should book up a hotel straight away. Well what do you know, the next day there is an announcement. Tree got right on it and booked a hotel in Kensington for a long weekend. Within a week you couldn't get one anywhere in London - result! Tree worked out an itinerary including the Millennium Wheel, Tate Modern, China Town, Covent Garden and some wedding bash somewhere round Buckingham Palace? Kate and Matt had never been to London so this was a good way to see the sights and get the atmosphere. We didn't get to see much of the wedding because of the crowds but I rather enjoyed our visit to Govinders Krishna restaurant and the National Portrait Gallery. We then went to Old Compton Street to see the street parties. Being the gay quarter of London lent itself to very extravagant outfits and regalia! Fantastic!!

However, seeing as the reason we went to London was to see the fireworks you can imagine we were a bit put out when we heard that "due to cutbacks" there weren't going to be any. Oh well, its a sign of the times I suppose. We still had a brilliant time.

Happy Birthday Treebo

As it is Tree's birthday we decided to get away down to Glastonbury for the day and have the obligatory lunch at the Rainbows End Cafe. While there, we thought it was right we visited the Chalice Well Gardens as we have said so many times that we should. The gardens were well laid out and the views across to the Tor were very good. However, the state of the well head was far worse than it could have been, so much so that I have used a promotional photo here, and what should have been tranquil meditation space was ruined by the noise of traffic on the main road. In addition, other visitors insisted on talking loudly in the designated quiet areas. Overall, a disappointment. But, putting the gardens aside, we had a lovely day together and won't need to eat for ages as we're stuffed. Yummee!