Nayland, Suffolk

 I am away for a week with my daughter and the two grandchildren. This was booked long ago. Had we known the 4 yr old would be in a full leg plaster cast we would not have chosen this hilly site however it is beautiful. 

The lodge we are in is the first one just through the gate. It is quite small but big enough for the four of us and has a hot tub at the back.

The farm also has a tennis court, indoor swimming pool, playground etc so lots for the children to do.

There are animals that the children can feed such as chickens, horses and pigs. They can also collect eggs from the chicken coup if they want.

There are a number of large solar panels that provide the energy used by the properties.

We are surrounded by beautiful  scenery but we are finding it very physical pushing a buggy across and up the fields and then carrying him into the lodge.

Sorry I haven't  commented this week but my phone just puts me down as anonymous and to be honest I can't  be bothered  to try and sort it at the moment.

Brief holiday

 The plan was to spend five days here on the small island of Menorca, off the coast of Spain, with my daughter whilst her two children were away camping with their Dad. With all the problems with flying at the moment creating numerous cancellations and delays we were delighted that our early morning flight from Gatwick took off on time.

 We spent a number of family holidays in the north west of the island when the children were young teenagers and always enjoyed our time here. This time we stayed on the other side of the island in a beautiful hotel, the Artiem Carlos. an adult only spa hotel. 

 This is the jacuzzi with its view out to sea.

The view from our balcony.

It was the perfect place to recharge the batteries after the last two very difficult years.

But nothing ever quite works out as planned. On our second day there my daughter received a phone call to say that her 4 yr old son had broken his leg whilst playing football!

A quick change of plans and an early flight home and our beautiful holiday came to an abrupt end. 

My grandson is fine but will be in a plaster cast for about 6 weeks. Next weekend  I have arranged to take my daughter and the two grandchildren to spend a week on a farm. That should prove challenging!

Menorca

 

Fiesta time in El Castell, Menorca

Just here for a few days of relaxing by the sea in the sunshine.

Tiaras

 In celebration of the Queen's platinum jubilee, Sotheby's auction house had a display of tiaras which was open to the public. Here are just a few of them:

Art Deco bandeau designed by Cartier in the 1920s. Amethyst, sapphire, onyx and diamond.

An early twentieth century diamond set tiara designed as a wreath of twinned sprays of leaves. Cartier 1904

A bandeau style diamond tiara c1900

The Primrose Tiara. A trailing garland of daisies and leaves created c 1830.

An Imperial Russian Necklace/Tiara. A diamond set laurel wreath necklace with pendant graduated aquamarines. Probably St Petersburg late 19th/early 20th century.

The Spencer Tiara worn by princess Diana at her wedding in 1981. Garrard, mid 1930s

Queen Victoria's emerald and diamond tiara designed by Prince Albert 1845

The Westminster halo tiara designed by Lacloche in 1930

Superbloom at the Tower

To celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee The Tower of London has flooded the moat with flowers. In Spring over 20 million seeds were sown and now most of them have germinated and provide this colourful, impressionistic display of wild flowers. I went along last week to have a close up view of the flowers. Even though we have had glorious blue skies most days, I chose a day when it was pouring down! Never mind  I still enjoyed the experience.

Not all areas geminated at the same time and some plants have yet to flower.

Superbloom is not just for 2022. This is the first year of a permanent transformation of the moat providing a haven for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This is the biggest change to the moat since the 1840s when it was drained and laid to grass.

You can slide down into the moat if you want but because of the rain it was closed. I was very disappointed!

One of the sculptures in amongst the flowers.

Despite the rain I hope you enjoyed walking around the moat with me.