A facelift is needed for Ironbridge ....

Hi everyone

An unexpected free work morning due to sick students always brings on feelings of freedom. When faced with these unexpected pleasures, I always head out & enjoy it!

I live close to the world famous Ironbridge. It was the first cast iron structure in the world; it kicked off the Industrial Revolution worldwide with cast iron railway lines, bridges & multi storey buildings all becoming a reality!

This all started in a little valley / gorge in our County by men of great vision.

Have a look at these previous posts - The-olympic-torch-visits-our-shire

photographing-beautiful-wedding-at Ironbridge & photographing-beautiful-wedding-2

in-search-of-bluebells-at-Ironbridge

tea-cake-in-cold-snowy-Ironbridge

a-very-wet-time-in-shire

Our local press have reported that our Ironbridge, completed in 1779, was being clad in scaffolding to carry out essential repairs & painting.  I just knew that was where I was heading this morning.

Oh my gosh - the sight of the white fabric was quite startling - where is my favourite Bridge?

Information boards tell the tale ...

Lots of metal work & scaffolding to protect workers ...

Somehow, something so familiar was suddenly strange ...

I wanted to see how different it looked from a favourite vantage point up high by the church on the hill.  Up the really steep steps leading up the hill ... 

This view looks directly on to the bridge - always a strange view as it looks like any road from up high.

The lovely St. Luke's church which has seen hundreds of years of activity in this beautiful spot.

The power station production ceased last year due to regulations, these towers are set to come down.

An old post box ~ VR ~  from Queen Victoria's reign ...

After walking all the way to the top of the hill, back down & around to view it from upstream on the Severn River (the longest river in England). Everywhere, the covering is very evident ...

Carrying on downstream of the Ironbridge to the furnaces which once powered the industry along this important place. It is now protected by a roof covering but a timely reminder of the long history of this special place.

The Bedlam furnaces ....

I love the history of this beautiful place I am fortunate to call home ... 

The traffic bridge replaced the Ironbridge as a crossing point - it is beautiful as well as functional ...

I know I will be down there again soon to keep abreast of all the repairs, developments & progress which will make sure  our special Ironbridge remains special for centuries to come.

This is what will be happening over the coming months iron-bridge-conservation-announced while raising additional funds for the project project-iron-bridge

This is how it usually looks & how it will look again ... 

I hope you will pop back soon too for updates on this progress. Thank you for your visit,
Dee ~♥~

Enjoy our canals with the lads ....

Hi everyone

I hope you are thinking of the impending busy time ahead but taking time to just breathe too.

Our county is blessed with a fabulous network of canals which criss cross it. In days gone by, these provided a safe way of transporting our goods about, particularly the delicate china wares from our world famous potteries as they  carried our goods to ports for transport all around the world.

These canals still buzz with life - many folk live there permanently & many more visit & hire canal boats to enjoy the network which connects to the others around the UK.

These are some of our canals ... a misty-morning-on-canals

This very same canal we took today in mid winter - an-icy-canal-walk

Our canals passing through Birmingham  with its lovely Jewellery Quarter 

Walking the canals in our county

Quite by chance I saw the last trip of the season advertised on Friday & I messaged my Godsons Mum to ask - please can I have them for the day? I have walked our canal paths often with the lads so knew they would enjoy it. I was delighted when she said 'YES'

The morning started with 'wintery rain' here - sleet & a brisk 4C only. We were not deterred - nothing an extra layer of clothes can't keep at bay.

I have walked these canals at Norbury Junction several times & we all looked forward to boarding.

Excited passengers waiting to board ....

Rain as we drink tea in the warm canal side cafe - bleak

First to board - oh yes , the front seats will do nicely ...

I was glad to have my warm bobble hat, scarf, gloves & jacket - it was brisk outside

Hot tea served - that warmed us up nicely ...

Lovely rural passing scenery ...

Waving at folk walking on the tow paths ...

Cows may safely graze, undeterred by our presence passing their fields ...

Passing under one of the shorter bridges - so tranquil & peaceful ... 

This boat trip gears down & collects hot fish & chips from the rural town of Gnosall as we pass - oh yes, it was so good in the cold weather. Lots of chatter while we enjoyed our meal onboard!

 Even another sudden burst of rain did not dampen our spirits as the boat came to the turning basin at Onn.

A fascinating link to the famous Cadbury factory where we turned along the canal ... 

The return of the blue skies & autumn colours ...

Littlest Godson enjoyed the Dominoes provided ...

A fabulous day, relaxing & perfect for just catching up on the lads news before the hectic season arrives! 

The trip provided a perfect slow paced catch up time on the canals - the lads even won a bottle of sweets on the boat raffle which was the cherry on top. I hope you have enjoyed the trip with us. Leave a note to let me know you have stopped by. 

Dee ~♥~

Be thankful, a Shropshire Thanksgiving ....

Our thoughts turn to our many readers who celebrate Thanksgiving this week.

My lovely friend Liane has family in the US & we have had several Shropshire Ladies Thanksgiving suppers at my home.

I love blue & this was reflected with the lovely bits I have now put on the sideboard / dresser

 What a thankful time us ladies had ....

A favourite setting with pheasant feathers & all white china

My love of bright colour is reflected in this cerise table setting ...

Unfortunately this year, time constraints on both our parts means that we have not planned to do anything, but that did not mean I could not change my sideboard / dresser to show some of the lovely Staffordshire china that we use for our table settings for Thanksgiving.

Cobalt blue impressed images of Martha & George

A vintage  meat platter appropriately called 'Fallow Deer' joins the collection.

Cobalt blue Ikea glass plates are popular to break up the patterns.

Uncle Sam ...

This elegant gravy / pouring container ...

 I am a great fan of blue china, especially as this was made locally in our potteries & shipped half way around the world. It speaks to me of tradition, of history, of being thankful!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 

to all those who celebrate it - may your blessings be abundant & your home be blessed with thankful family & friends. 

Thank you for stopping by & taking time to read & comment,

Dee ~♥~

Transitioning to winter colours ...

Hi everyone

It has been a hectic few weeks with new students starting & generally not touching ground. However, I am always grateful for each visit & especially those who take time to leave a supportive comment - it is much appreciated.

Earlier in the year, I used lavender colours in the living room  & I love the colours & they are still there.  I really love that combination ...

A rare free afternoon today meant I could get some much needed things done at home.  I had changed my dining room curtains last week from the lighter summery cream ones to the woollen tartan curtains  which are warm & cosy in winter.

I also looked through my stash of fabrics - everyone has a stash of fabric, don't they?

I hemmed this lovely green woollen cloth to use as a table cloth in winter; it will go well with the heathery purple colour in the curtains. Yes, I do use iron on hemming tape when I need to get things done!

I usually have this large floral oil painting in the dining-room but I decided on a seasonal change ...

 I have had this lovely embroidered purple panel for some time & I decided to frame it & use it. It is just right for that space, even though it is not nearly as large as the painting.

A purple runner from some fabric in my stash ...

The long purple cloth returns to the table. It was a long bolt of fabric that I hemmed some years back for this space - sometimes it is easier to buy fabric to hem than to try to find a cloth ...

These two ladies love their spot on the sideboard ...

Some flowers repurposed from the living room, along with pink candles & bows to brighten it up ...

The lovely deer tea light holders were gifts, the larger deer came from the living room to join them ..

Don't you just love this new candle with its deer top. It was a recent find that I knew I would be taking with me when I saw it in the shop ...

Coming together nicely ...

The leather book pile has increased with some from the study to give the framed fabric some height.

I have decided that I want berry coloured decorations at home this year - pink, purple,  cream & so I am transitioning towards that. It will be a change from my usual red & gold so needs a bit more  planning ...

Are your thoughts turning to the festive season too?  What are your plans this year? Tell all ....
Thank you for stopping by & taking time to read & leave a comment,
Dee ~♥~