You Need To Visit Calke Abbey

The collections are ordinary you might think but it is collections through the centuries and it’s so joyful in the “ House that time forgot “

A National Trust membership will soon pay for itself and it’s especially good value for families.We literally live down the road from

Calke Abbey and we are always visiting it’s our go to place for a walk , mooch and relax.

But however many times you go to a property there is always something new to see or focus on.I think Calke Abbey is such a place and it is worth a visit ( there’s a few stairs there ) You can not help but be captivated with the lost beauty of Calke.

Collecting everyone loves collecting we start collecting at a very early age and we never really stop.Be transformed back to your childhood when you see the collection of curios which include an ocean of shells.

I’m in love with all the shells and I could simply spend all day looking at them and I think also of who collected them.

And as Calke Abbey is the unstately home then I feel totally at home as I’m not near by any stretch of the imagination.

Charity Shop Little Finds

Being yourself is the best way to be it really is and not be told what to do and when to do it.We of course all love a bit of structure in our lives but I also love just being spontaneous.Apprently I’m now the village cricket group and the total number of supporters is one which is me.

Every anxious to get a peace of the action I get pleasantly distracted by my surroundings and I’m not in the slightest complaining about it.

And the countryside is always a welcome intrusion into our busy lives and we should embrace it more.

To quick are we to ignore the ordinary moments in our lives that are not so ordinary, actually they’re really special.And that snap moment in a charity shop when I knew I had to purchase a typewriter necklace was one of them.The typewriter necklace was a mere 95 p and it’s so sweet.

I think I’m a sort of reverse Bagpuss where objects just speak to me and need a home.I often wonder what life objects had before I happened upon this.Objects just simply aren’t objects there is a human story behind them all.

I love charity shops and I do rather have a knack of finding the sweetest of things that just need a home.What tips could I offer you to spot your own treasure through the obvious tat you see at charity shops.

1. It helps to watch the occasional antique program to get a rough idea of trends for example Toby jugs were once the bees knees are commanded a good price but now have fallen it value.

2.Small is not only beautiful but tactile to and will bring you joy , I’m hoping to find something that is small silver one day.

3.The odd and the obscure don’t necessarily walk on by it , I’ve found countless things you would ignore that have turned out to be modern art by a Spanish artist ( dead) Cesar Manrique.

4.Buy what could be up and coming from pottery to a very very strange art canvas print ( you might not love it but I assure you someone else will ) 

5.Check the bottom of  China you see in charity shops now I know what’s Hummel /Goebel

You’ll soon learn and in no time at all you’ll be picking up a bargain.

This figure was 99p

And I also picked up this bronze cat statue for £2.99 they retail at about £40

I also managed to pick up some Royal Crown Derby for about £4.99

6. I can not stress enough to pick up things that catch your eye like I did with this pottery vase.

7. What comes around again is vintage and is collectable like a bunch of old Sega games I found.

Having A Holiday For Relaxation

I’m slowly working my way round Italy and soon it will be Florence for another culture trip and with the teen ( nearly out his teens ) after completing his first year at university studying Archaeology.It is going to be a holiday of relaxation for everyone as this will be the first holiday he’s not revising for A levels, or completing Degree assignment s or any sort of exam in any shape or form.When we were in Venice last Christmas the Teen was busy working hard away on University assignments as he is very conscious about his studies and not one of those very partying students ( though he has opted to help this years new students at Freshers week ~ eek, he was part of Freshers week last year as a new Student and really enjoyed it , always sensible though. )

When we were in Rome last August it was just before the advent of university so it was the calm before the stop of university and of across A levels results as so many futures rest on these. We are really looking forward to going to Florence and we are flying with British Airways we could have flown to Pisa and then transferred but Mr T just wanted to be a little closer airport transfer wise to Florence. I am sure as we get more confident travelling with his Diabetes travelling will continue and be all the much easier, there is always that sense of intrepetation .

We love our travel as a family , we have always endeavour in our holidays to be as adventurous as possible.While that doesn’t include bungee jumping or hot air ballon it is just the right level of adventure for us.

I’m a lot fitter this year and I hope on this holiday no little old lady will offer me her wheel chair like one did at the collaseum.

Car Servicing In The Folkestone Area

Collaboration Post

It is very important to keep your car serviced and well maintained, we are lucky enough to have a car through my husbands work so all the car servicing is taken care of.Our son who passed his driving test hasn’t the need of a car yet as he’s at University up in York and he will certainly need a car when he has fished his degree with the bank of Mum and Dad footing the bill initially till he gets a job.Who knows what area he will eventually end up it as an Archaeology degree opens up a world of opportunity.

One area he might think about that has a rich history and archaeological Heritage is Kent , we have holidayed there many times and it is an area he knows well as we used to stayed with my grandparents there when they were alive.You never stop worrying about your kids when they leave home and along with safe and secure accommodation you want to know that if they have a car they have it serviced and looked after properly along with an MOT.

So if he was to settle in the Kent area particularly around the Folkestone area then I would ensure he looked into car servicing  , being in charge of bills and the such like is a adult level up in computer game terms.My husband has always looked after his cars except the one time he forgot to ensure the car had breakdown cover and we literally had to rush into a local supermarket ring the appropriate breakdown people and then join and get recovered!


So if you are in or around the Folkestone area visit KAP Motors and get amazing car servicing rates.

Happiness For The Price Of A Stamp

I put a message up on my personal face book and I’ve set it to friends as I know these things have a habit of going viral.You see I was writing my mothers birthday card and I thought asides me I’m going to be the only family sending her a card.The odd friend of course with send her a card but she’s only just come out of care for her Bi polar.

“I wonder if anyone could would send a birthday card to my mum ~ I am the extent of her family just me she is 65 next Friday ... she been in a secure unit having had a Bi polar episode and is now out but is taking things very slowly and needs oodles of good wishes.

I am just thinking out loud and not doing this for attention. 

Happiness for the price of a stamp .. I don't know I am not going to give out her address just like that so only to people who know me.

In helping her I help me.”

And the simple steps I’ve taken can be applied to anyone as it doesn’t cost much to bring joy into someone’s life.And I have had so many friends step forward and offer to send my mum a card I am very grateful to them for this.Everyone needs someone in their life a bit of noise beyond though 4 lonely walls to be part of sometime and we wanted and to connect with someone.

Us humans are marvellous when we want to be.