Biddulph Grange Garden National Trust #19

In 1840 Biddulph Grange in Staffordshire, UK was bought by James Bateman. He and his wife were passionate about plants  and were rich enough to be able to travel and bring back plants from around the world. He and his wife with the help of an artist friend enlarged and planted out the gardens into different themed areas . Due to the design you cannot see into one area from another so I was constantly surprised by what I found by going through tunnels , walkways or between hedges.

Here are some of the photos I took in no particular order. I do not know the names of the plants and they were deliberately not labelled in keeping with the original garden layout.

Greenwich Festival

On Sunday I returned to Greenwich with a friend to see a little more of the Greenwich  Festival. There were lots of entertainers and activities for the children.








 A theatre/dance group entertaining the crowds.

This giant lobster was a huge hit with the children.

The town was crowded beyond capacity so we walked further along the Thames Path to move away from the crowds. This gentleman was singing and playing the mandolin. It took me a few minutes to realise they were not his real legs on show as he was standing in the diving suit which was swaying to the music.

here were numerous actors along the Thames path showing the kind of wares that would have been sold during Victorian times. Here they had mussels in one of the baskets and pies in the other.

But it was the Tall Ships that were the stars of the Festival.

Here a couple of the ships are going through The Thames Barrier

 As this ship was going past I noticed some men climbing up to adjust the rigging.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday

The Globe

This week I went to the Globe theatre in London. It is a replica of the original theatre built  in 1599 by Shakespeare's theatre company and it is the only building in central London  permitted to have a thatched roof. It is an open air theatre with the audience either standing in front of the stage or seated in the galleries.
You sit on wooden benches in the galleries and I would advise hiring a cushion for £1 and also choosing a back row seat so you have something to support your back. Prices vary from £15 to £42 but you can get a ticket for the yard for £5 which is terrific value. The disadvantage is that you have to stand up for the whole performance as no sitting down in that area is allowed.

 I went to see 'Comedy of Errors' which is a bit of a farce but enjoyable. The acting was excellent making the Shakespearean language easier to follow plus I had a seat and cushion on the back row of the lower gallery!

The majority of the plays are by Shakespeare but other works are also performed. This theatre is only open during the Summer months as it is in the open but there is now an indoor theatre here -Sam Wanamaker Playhouse still in keeping with the period, being lit by candlelit, and I look forward to the experience in the not so distant future. 

Reflections of the Tall ships at Greenwich

The Tall Ships Festival opened in Greenwich today

Sharing with James at Weekend Reflections

Columbia Road Flower Market

Just around the corner from 'The Corner shop' which I featured in my last post is Columbia Road which is home to a Sunday flower market. Here you can buy anything from bedding plants to trees!

There are lots of freshly cut flower stalls  with the stall holders trying to shout out their prices over the noise of the busy market.

Be prepared for the crowds though. It is one of the busiest of the Sunday markets.

And when you've had enough there is a wonderful bakery just around the corner selling the most unique cakes and pastries.

Or just sit down and listen to one of the entertainers.

The corner shop or is it?

The corner shop used to be a very common sight with its shelves filled with everyday items. Not a huge choice but convenient for the essentials. Nowadays they are rarely seen as they are unable to compete with the large supermarkets.

 I came across this one in the East End of London yesterday. It was its last day of trading and people were queuing to get inside.














But this was no ordinary corner shop, as everything on the shelves has been handmade from felt by the artist Lucy Sparrow, including the till, pricing gun and the contents of the freezer.

 The shop has not only been open for viewing everyday during August, but has also been used for sewing workshops for the community, especially those with special needs.

All the items in the shop were for sale but had to remain on the shelves until the end of the exhibition.

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Our World Tuesday