Amsterdam

On Saturday, in bright sunshine, we set off early in the morning, via the ferry (Dover to Dunkerque) to drive to Holland.    This is the first part of our trip, with Brian and Susanne, which starts in Holland and ends in Le Lavandou, Cote D'Azur.   

We could easily get used to the bright blue skies and brilliant sunshine, but we dare not, as it will change.   We are enjoying it immensely though.   Thank goodness we have turned on some sunshine, otherwise Brian and Susanne will go back to New Zealand, with the view that the UK especially has only cold and wet weather.

So with Brian and Susanne settled in Aaron and Kylie's house in Houten, we drove our motor home to the farm camping ground, which is 7 minutes bike ride away.   A beautiful spot, surrounded by farm land, and smelling of freshly spread manure. 

So yesterday we set off to explore Amsterdam, the city with beautiful streets and waterways, plus an area that is attractive to people seeking life's pleasures, or certain ones anyway.

First off, a visit to the double layered bike parking area under Houten's railway station.    How do people recognise their bikes?   At Amsterdam Railway Station the bike parking area is three or four bike stories high.  Impressive!

  

As usual we missed the train so needed to wait for a while for the next train.  Pleasant seating area though.

Typical scene.   A bridge over muddy water.    Actually the water is very clean.   Must be the reflection.

Brian enjoying the sunshine on the canal boat.

These two beautiful swans have made a nest of local rubbish, and are awaiting the birth of their babies.

A picnic lunch, standing up style, due to the lack of public benches, then off to a cafe for a cup of coffee, so that we could sit and rest.   And in our desperation for a cup of coffee and sit down we headed for the more seamier part of Amsterdam.   I must add that the children were not with us when we visited the 'not so nice' part of Amsterdam as they went with Aaron to visit a museum.

But alas, no coffee, due to the lack of cafe's and a surplus of coffee shops.   For the unsuspecting visitor, a coffee shop is there, not for coffee, but for a leisurely puff of dope, together with dope biscuits or some such delicacy.   The smell of marijuana around was overpowering to say the least.

So we visited the cafe opposite the coffee shop, which also turned out to be a bar, not a cafe.  Still no coffee, so we made do with a beer or a vodka and lemonade.    It was very relaxing, drinking our alcoholic drink, and savouring the odd waft of dope, and watching all the barges go past.

'The First Coffeeshop' or so the sign tells us.  The orange streamers have been put up, in order to support the forthcoming European cup.    There are flags and streamers everywhere, plus orange hats, scarves, and even underpants for sale in the shops, all in readiness for Holland's success in the cup.

So ever onwards through the seamier side of Amsterdam, namely the red light district.   Photographs are banned in this part of town, so alas there are no photos of the ladies posing in the windows.  

But still plenty of bicycles around.    These have taken a tumble, due no doubt to absorbing too much dope.

But the view down the canals are still breathtakingly beautiful.

The gables on the houses are typical Dutch, such as the neck gables on these houses.   On the front of each gable is a hook and winch in order to lift the furniture up to the windows.

Many of the houses in Amsterdam are on a lean, not due to too much dope smoking around, but rather due to being very old, and being built on piles in very marshy land.   No doubt each house keeps the next one upright.   The houses below were built during the 17th Century.

This very old Dutch house below is now a restaurant.

At long last coffee plus bitterballen.   Very delicious.  And in a more genteel part of Amsterdam too.

So back to the Railway Station, which is no longer the scary place full of undesirables we remember.   But a clean and efficient place now.   After a comfortable short train trip, we arrived back in Utrecht, where they had attached coloured umbrellas to the ceiling.   A modern art show.   Very effective too.

So after a trip to Amsterdam to see the elegant houses and beautiful waterways, and which ended up with a look at the red light district instead, we came back to have a quiet drink in cool, green beautiful Houten.

And I must add that we resisted buying the green dope lollypops for sale on a market stall.    They did look delicious too.   But the taste?

Knole and Ightham Mote

Although we were feeling just a little tired after the big day at Chelsea, we were off again on Friday to see Knole and Ightham Mote.   Both wonderful National Trust properties.

Although Knole looks like an old castle, it is in fact a very large house.    The original owner, an Archbishop, way back in the 15th Century, desired a very grand residence which included castle like features in order to impress people.  And it did.   It caught the eye of Henry VIII, so the resident Archbishop handed it over to Henry.  But then you would, considering Henry's reputation, otherwise the Archbishop might have found himself without a head.   Then during Queen Elizabeth I's reign she gave it to one of her favourites, with the surname of Sackville, and so it has belonged to Sackville family until it was handed to the National Trust, sometime after WWII. 

Vita Sackville-West, the well known writer and garden designer, who with her husband, Harold Nicolson, designed and transformed Sissinghurst Gardens, should have inherited Knole when her father died,   But of course she was a woman, and the property went to one of her father's cousins.    There are still Sackville's living in the front of the house.

Knole is situated on top of a hill, with a considerable acreage of parkland around it, which houses a golf course and numerous deer.    The park is open for the public to use during the day.

Knole House contains a large collection of very old furniture, all acquired over the years by members of the Sackville family.    At the moment the rear wall  of the house is being repaired so a small proportion of the furniture and wall hangings are covered up, in order to avoid damage from the dust.   But the National Trust have left very detailed signs letting people know what is under the coverings and also about the type of repairs taking place.   We were impressed. 

We also found out that the huge lead trough in the courtyard did not contain water for the houses, but in fact contained a few carp, which needed to be put in clean water to purge them of the dirty river water, before they were served for dinner.    And under the courtyard stands the huge water tank.   There was no well and all rainwater was diverted to this tank for use in the house.    How is that for a modern approach to conserving water.  

We ate our picnic lunch in a very shady part of the courtyard.   All very pleasant.

Then it was off to Ightham Mote to look at another grand house.   This house was built during the 14th century, so was older and less castle like.    The water for this house came from the moat around the house. So we learnt that the moat was not used for defence purposes.    It is amazing when you learn the facts about old houses, as against the information that you make up yourself.

Ightham Mote was restored about 10 years ago, so is in pretty good condition now.   When it was built, it was set down in the bottom of a gully, so that the water could run down into the moat.    Very sensible idea, but the house must have been very damp.   There is some relatively modern plumbing in it too (early 20th century) and other changes made during the past seven hundred years.    The most recent owner, a single American man, gave it to the National Trust in 1985.

Susanne and I looking the part, and all ready to explore the house.    There are also magnificent gardens around the house, but sadly we needed to go home, in order to pack for the big trip the next day.

A lovely day though, in the sunshine, exploring some of Kent's treasure spots.

Chelsea

Last Thursday we visited the Chelsea Flower Show.    And what an exciting day it was.   An outing that Brian, Susanne and I had been greatly looking forward to.   

The weather predictions for the day showed that it was going to be a very hot day, although the ground mist covered the sun in the morning and it was a trifle cool.    We set off early and caught the 7.30 train, which was of course crowded with commuters on their way to work.

We decided to take the underground to Sloane Square, to give Brian an experience of the early morning rush on the tube.   And he was not disappointed, the underground was heaving with people and delays due to signal problems on the line.   

After a few twists and turns, and a slight wrong direction problem, we eventually arrived at the main gates at Chelsea.   Still early too.

A restorative cup of coffee, very delicious, was required.    Sadly there were no seats, so we sat on the edge of a platform.

And then it was off to view the gardens.   It is amazing how the exhibitors manage to transform a parkland, which consists of mainly grass and paths, into a garden wonderland, with flowers, shrubs and trees which look like they have been there for years.

This was the garden from Provence, which won a gold medal.    Simply divine.   But then the people standing five deep in front of it also thought it was wonderful.    You needed to be tall, or very pushy, in order to get a view of the garden.  We all held up our cameras to get the perfect picture.

My apologies, I have forgotten the name of this garden, but it was also lovely and it won a gold award.

The floral display for Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee celebrations.   Also beautiful.

The tin caravan in the background.   This garden was organised by the Caravan Club of course.    A fussy garden, but still very appealing and obviously deserved its silver (I think).

This garden was very simple, but elegant.  The large trees in front were magnificent.   In fact most of the trees displayed had interesting bark on them.   This garden also won an award.

Another garden with very simple lines plus holes in the walls.   The trees at the back are always in the park.

Now all Australians will complain because I cannot remember this Australian TV Gardner's name.  Full of bluster and talk, but he seemed friendly.    In the photograph he was talking to a group of Australians on tour.   The Australian garden was styled on the outdoor living style seen in the show homes in Australia.   Very simple lines, but comfortable and promotes outdoor living in a very comfortable manner.

There were two of garden sculptures based on QR codes, made out of plastic and set against ivy.   Very effective and stunning.    I would like a small one for my back garden.    Hope you read this Walter.

The large gardens were magnificent, but I really liked the smaller gardens as they were designed in simple but interesting ways.   Of course as most of us have small gardens in the UK, they are achievable as well.

Lunch, home made egg and bacon pie, was eaten while we sat on a crowded little hill top.   Space was at a premium by this stage.    After lunch and a rest we went to look at the flower displays in the main tent.    I took such a lot of photographs but unfortunately I can only include a few in this blog.   The abundant colour in the tent was overwhelming.    How do people grow such amazing flowers?   And such perfection too.

The lupins in this picture were of an amazing array of colour.   Of course they won a gold award.

The plain ordinary chrysanthemums looked magnificent.   I thought the photo below was of the chrysanthemums but I think they are daisies, which also looked magnificent too.   The whole tent was a flower bonanza.  We were almost made speechless with the sheer magnificence of it all.

I must not forgot the garden sculptures.   I wish I had some money to spend on them.   The ones below were made of glass.

The day turned out to be extremely hot, but after the cold, wet weather I am not complaining one little bit.  I was a little taken aback, however, by the huge crowds, although I had been warned.   By twelve o'clock there was hardly room to move, and certainly no room to sit down, even on the grassy banks at the side of the show.   There was certainly no place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or a cold drink.   A very popular world event, which is held over just a few days.   Hence the crowds.

So at 3 p.m. we left, feeling extremely happy that we had visited the Chelsea Flower Show.

Weather and White Clouds

I have decided that I need to improve my attitude towards the current weather conditions.   No, I have not resorted to taking Vitamin D tablets nor have I bought a lamp to avoid SAD depression.   Rather I have resolved to appreciate the numerous days when we experience white cloud, rather than worry about focusing on the lack of sunshine.

I have come to the conclusion that we are not going to get a lot of sunshine.   So I look for white clouds when accessing the BBC weather forecast on my BlackBerry.   And yes, there are more white cloud days showing up, than grey clouds days.    Some showers still show up, but then the plants may appreciate a bit of rain.  I feel generous.

A change of attitude makes all the difference.   I no longer have gloomy thoughts, even the current situation with the Euro has not dampened my spirits.

So I took another photo of the front garden and road, in the one little patch of sunshine that occurred yesterday.  Note the white clouds in the back background.   And the shadow of the house in the foreground, which proves the sun was shining.   Just a little bit, I know.  But better than no sun.

 I must admit the clouds at 1 pm today did border on the side of grey, but with a positive attitude one can imagine they are more white than grey.  The photo below shows the view of Northumbeland Heath, with white/grey clouds overhead, as I left the hairdresser. 

I have gone back to my old hairdresser, after a gap of seven months, four of those in Australia and NZ, where I visited two wonderful hairdressers.   I thought, unwisely, that I should support my local hairdresser, who did a very poor job last month.    Not only did I receive a very professional hairdressing service at the salon in Northumberland Heath, but I also enjoyed the two hours there.   It was such a busy place, full of people, mostly pensioners like me as it was morning.  Lots of repartee between staff and customers, and I listened to discussions about the Queen, Prince Charles, the Olympics, local gossip, family matters and tattoos.   My general knowledge has improved considerably.  And I love the local accents, a mix of the soft Kentish accent and the stronger London accent.   Good therapy.

 So off came all the straggly hair, and now I have a super smooth smart look.   This helps to promote a positive mood.   Who needs sunshine!

When driving home I noticed that the red poppies were out in bloom.   Sorry, no photo, as it was impossible to stop the car on the busy road.   Well I could have, I suppose, and alerted the other drivers to the wonders growing on the side of the road.   But perhaps I may have received abuse rather than appreciation. Better not to spoil the day, just for a photo.

But I did stop on a quiet road to take a photo of the hawthorn tree in flower.   The flowering hawthorn abound in the hedgerows at the moment.   They are beautiful although a disaster for allergy sufferers.

And the trees in the woods at the end of the road, just a few metres from the house, are in full leaf now.   So beautiful, and a walk was a must today, even though the paths were still muddy after all the rain.

 And the cow parsley, also out in flower.   I love cow parsley, so English.  I know that it grows in Holland and Germany too, but I associate it with England. Horses love cow parsley too (I am not sure about cows). I found it very difficult to keep my horse away from the cow parsley.   I was forever getting told off about it.

At this time of year I remember my first summer in England, twenty years ago.   Out on a horse, riding in the woods in the evenings, with the damp smells of the woods around me, and listening to the birds, and hoping that I would not fall off the horse into the stinging nettles.   I had also discovered stinging nettles, by accident.  I touched them.   No one warned me.  Ouch!  

And today when I looked under the plastic tunnel I found that the beans had started to sprout.   The white clouds and warmer temperatures of the past few days have made all the difference.  

White clouds are great!  And the temperature is rising too, a little bit.  Hopefully.

Weather - Wet and Gloomy

I am utterly fed up with rain.  And more rain.  And yet even more rain.  Everyone else is fed up too.  Day after day, it rains, with some brief interludes of sunshine in between.  Just to give one a false hope of decent weather to come.  And it is cold too, with temperatures hovering around 12 or 13 degrees.   Sometimes it rises to 17 degrees but this is offset with a cold wind blowing from the east.  

It was predicted that May would be a wet month, after the wettest April on record.  And now we hear that the cold weather will continue for another four weeks.  Well into June, which is a summer month.

However, the South East is still in a drought, so the experts tell us.  And there is a hose pipe ban.   Not that we have to worry about dragging a watering can around the garden at the moment. Our garden is saturated and we live on a hill, where normally the water runs off very quickly, due to the gravelly soil and a network of mole tunnels.

 So is this rain the wrong rain?   The same as we have the wrong snow on railway tracks.  No, it is rather the right rain but at the wrong time of year.   Apparently, as the trees are developing leaves and every other plant is madly growing, they are taking all the moisture, which is not then making its way down into ground and raising the underground water tables.   But I think that there has been enough rain for both trees, plants and the water tables. 

People are still wearing warm clothes, coats and boots, while our summer clothes lie languishing in our wardrobes.  I have even worn my new possum wool hat which I bought in Wanaka, NZ, and my extra thick fleece, bought from the same shop.  Clothes I bought for next winter.   It no longer matters that I lost two sun dresses and five summer blouses in Christchurch, NZ.   It does not appear that I would have had a chance to wear them anyway.

So today I took some photographs of our rain drenched garden through the rain spotted windows.

Our patio, with the umbrella lying on the table, in readiness for some sunshine, no matter how brief.

The back garden, normally so dry, but now water soaked.   The second crop of beans have not sprouted, as the soil is not warming up, and the tomatoes are going nowhere.   The lettuce seeds have disappeared due to the local cats using that part of the garden as a public toilet.

The conservatory, looking dreary and not all inviting, without some sunshine.

In my more depressed moments I recall a short story from a book of short stories that I borrowed from our local library a few months back.  Sorry I cannot remember the name of the book, but you would not want to read the story anyway.   It is too depressing.  The story is set in England, where after years of constant rain and heavy clouds, the country is in chaos, due to food shortages and a general decline in law and order.     The main character, and her husband, decide to leave London, and walk to Norway, where conditions are meant to be better.  How they are meant to get across the channel is not made clear! But it is a story after all. So on their walk through the sodden countryside, with leaden skies overhead, and constant rain, and fearing for their lives from bandits, they came across a nasty person, who murdered the husband and took the wife prisoner.  After living with this rather horrible person, she murdered him by tipping him over the edge of a platform.   He landed head first onto the sodden ground.   She then continued on her merry way and the story ended.    A bizarre story, and I wondered why I even bothered to read it, but on these dark days with the rain relentlessly coming down, I cannot help thinking about it.   Gloomy thoughts I know.   But continuous rain, grey skies and cold weather does that to you.


I think that I am suffering from SAD disease, due to lack of light.   Usually a winter complaint but definitely applies to the current weather conditions.   I could also be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency due to the lack of sunshine.   I may need therapy.   


Like everyone else, I badly need some sunshine, with maybe some fluffy white clouds floating in the bright blue sky.   Plus a few showers at night, just to keep the ground nice and moist so that I do not have to water the garden with a watering can.   Perfect.   Not too much to ask, is it!

Emmett's Gardens

On Sunday we took Jackson and Isabel to Emmett's Gardens for a picnic lunch, and to look at the bluebells. The day started off with blue skies, bright sunshine and no clouds.    A perfect day.  But alas, by 9 am, the clouds arrived, but it did not rain.   

Emmett's Gardens, a National Trust property, is situated by Ide's Hill, on the Weald, just off the A25.   At one point there is a fantastic view of Bule Water, across the undulating hills.

Jackson, Isabel and me, all looking happy to be outside, even if the weather is not perfect.

 And the bluebells are past their best, by about two weeks I would say.   Probably a bit damaged by the rain, as well.

 The azalea's are magnificent though.

I just love this view of the woods.   So many layers of green.

A beautiful maple tree with its new leaves.

Another azalea, with very small flowers, which give an overall impression of different shades of purple.   Very impressive.

Although we ate our picnic lunch, we also spent some money in the cafe, coffee for us, and cold drinks and short bread for Jackson and Isabel.   No scones and cream, as tempting as they are, but we know that they will contribute to spreading out our waistlines, rather than reducing them.

After we left Emmett's Gardens the sun came out.   Typical.   So we went back home to sit and snooze in the sunshine, in the conservatory.   Out of the cold breeze.   But |I am not complaining.  We have sunshine.