Southern Classics
Chevrolet
A few weeks ago whilst it was still sunny, myself, Luke and Orla went to see the Southern Classics car show that was taking place at Chichester College.
Unfortunately, the times on the website weren’t accurate. It stated that the show was ending at 4.00 pm, and in fact ended at 3.00. So, by the time we got there, some cars were already leaving, including a Pontiac Transam, which I watched drive past me *boo*.
However, there were some beauties on show, and I got some good shots, plus which Orla got some new toy cars (and me too) to add to her collection from the stalls that were there too.
The owners were friendly and informative, and clearly had enormous passion for their cars and the club. One owner told how his Armstrong Siddeley (see pic below) had been in a barn for years and years on end, and showed me photographs of how it had looked when he got hold of it, which was little more than a wreck. The time (and money) he had invested in restoring the car to it’s former glory was immense.
I should at this point mention that my husband is a petrol head (mostly for old classic cars etc, and 70′s classics). There is no car that exists that he does not know something about, and even when looking at a small section of a car in a photo, he will be able to tell you what it is. So, over the years, I have gathered some knowledge myself from the subsequent fall out, and am able to recognise most classic cars. Our time together and trips to Festival of Speed, Revival etc, has given me an appreciation of the beauty and elegance of old cars.
Sunbeam
Riley
Blossom and the Bees
Old boots and blossom
We have a Cherry tree in our garden. It’s a ‘Non Fruiting Cherry’ tree. Yes, such a thing can exist and I don’t get it either. It’s a strange old thing, and in fact has a preservation order on it, much to the chagrin of the neighbour whose garden backs on to our, and who would love to see it gone. He prunes diligently any branches that over hang his garden.
It’s gnarly and has big leaves, that over the course of the summer become splotchy and not that pretty. But, we love the tree, and in fact when we moved in, our little girl who was two years old at the time, called it ‘Lizzie tree’. However, for about two weeks out of the year during my favourite time of the year, it is in blossom, and GLORIOUS. Big fat white Sakura blossom, and the Bees love it. When it is in full blossom, if you stand underneath it, the buzzing is intense, as there are probably about thirty bees in there, I kid you not. We have been in the house for nearly three years now, seen three Springs, and every Spring I take pictures of the blossom, and try very hard to get a decent picture of a Bee. Have I ever succeeded in getting a good capture of one of these wonderful mini beasts? Have I bugger! You would think with the amount of bees in this tree at any one time I would, but no.
Suffice to say I shall keep trying, and while we are on the subject of Bees, there are some things I should mention. The British Bee is in decline. Three species are extinct already, and more are under threat. This is due to pesticides, and the erosion of their natural habitat. But there are things we can do to help. Because Bees are CRUCIAL. No Bees, no food. Check out this website about how to help Bees. It’s excellent. It’s not overlong, over wordy or too heavy, but carries some very pertinent and important content.
Now for some blossom pics from this years batch.
Unconditional Love
Is that which should be the right of all children, whether infants or grown to adulthood.
A parents love should be forgiving, compassionate, understanding and above all else, unselfish.
It should not always be predicated upon good behaviour, having the same opinion, toeing the line, or never answering back. A child of any age has a right to their own views, opinions and ideals, no matter how much they differ to your own, and they have the right to voice them.
Parents are not faultless, they are not perfect, they are not without flaws, and they do have feet of clay.
A good parent understands that ones children are formed in the image of themselves, and that ‘they’ are their children’s role models. A good parent knows that a child’s character, view of the world and how they build and form relationships are influenced by they themselves.
A good parent needs to recognise when they are wrong. A good and intelligent parent needs to take responsibility for their own actions.
In as much as respect as a parent is a right. It is still a right that is forfeit if one is a bad parent.
A child’s love for a parent is not a bottomless well. It can wither and die. It does not always take abuse and cruelty to do it. Sometimes indifference, capriciousness, thoughtless vindictiveness, and petty spitefulness will do it just as effectively.
In love utterly…
with my Afghan slippers. Yes…you heard it right.
It’s been a cold, cold winter here in the UK, and downstairs from front to back we have hard floors. My feet have been freezing. None of my slippers were keeping my feet warm, and I got to thinking, the only time I ever had warm feet in winter was years ago when I had a pair of Afghan slippers. However, they were long gone, and I had not seen them on sale anywhere in years. My last pair were bought in the early 90′s from an Oxfam shop.
However, I stuck ‘afghan slippers’ into Google, and lo and behold, the first link on the list was Afghanslippersocks.co. uk . You can imagine my delight. It transpires that the man who sells them, was one of the original importers in the 60′s and 70′s.
I browsed the site and was delighted to find that not only the cost to be extremely reasonable (£7.50), but that postage was as well (£2.50). I have to tell you, that I don’t think the pair I bought all those years ago were much cheaper. Also, Alistair adheres to Fair Trade guidelines and the profits go to Afghan War widows who make the slippers.
They are well made, the yarn being a mix of pure wool and rayon, so they are a washable, soles have a soft leather sole sewn on.
I bought a pair, and included a note to Alistair asking for a fast turn around as my feet were freezing. He had them in the post same day, and they arrived the next. My feet were toasty. I have since bought another two pairs.
I can’t recommend these slipper socks highly enough. They are warm, bright, cheerful and the money goes to a good cause. I think I am addicted.
Check out the site. www.afghanslippersocks.co.uk
Afghan slippers I
Afghan slippers II
Afghan slippers III
Lorrie Whittington
Visual Artist and Designer
Chichester, UK
