Come away with the raggle taggle gypsy-o
We each have our own perception of danger don’t we? I have no fear of heights, but having been bitten by a spider I find them dangerous. I’ve been in a huge bat cave in Borneo, but because it was a climb up inside, saw no danger.
Now, put me in a dark hole in the ground, that’s my idea of danger. Being enclosed like that is scary, really grim. But I did it anyway, some fears are meant to be conquered aren’t they?
But I won’t be going down a lava tube again!
I’ve needed something to keep myself busy recently, to take my mind off things. I think I showed you the beginning of this project, back in March.
It’s the handles of a tote bag. I put it to one side, did a bit of crochet instead.
Then sewed the body of the bag.
This weekend I plucked up the courage to rivet the handles to the bag – scary as I’ve never done it before and they had to be in exactly the right position.
Not bad for me, I’m not keen on measuring, I’d rather do things by eye.
I added some pretty danglies.
Because it’s a simple sack, I decided to make this to put bits and bobs in today.
So here it is, my first attempt at a leather bag. I could never have done this without my friend Lindy’s help, she is a really good leather worker, I’m just a dabbler, especially where tools are involved.
Thanks Lindy!
April this year was one of the saddest months ever, so I haven’t been around here very much. It began with the death of my youngest sister, Daberechi, in Lagos. She was very young, and I can’t believe that I’ll never see her again.
The month ended with the loss of Daisy, one of our border terriers, Dido’s litter sister. She hadn’t been herself for a few weeks, showing signs of age, she was nearly thirteen. But when she went off her food, Steven, the vet investigated further and blood tests revealed that her liver was seriously damaged. We had to make the decision to let her go. So last Saturday, she danced over the rainbow bridge, as we stroked her, and told her we love her.
Dido is pining for her sister, they were never apart. She saw her die, but who knows what she understands. She seems to be waiting for her to come home.
Each time we lose someone, whether it’s a person or a precious pet who’s been a member of the family, all the other losses we’ve experienced come rushing back. I’m crying over the sorrows of now and of the past, but at the same time finding joy in little things.
Here’s sweet Daisy, a few years ago. This week my daughter told me that Scarlett who is four was picking Daisies for Daisy. How will we explain to her when she visits in a few weeks?
Right now Dido is at my feet, keen to go for a walk, so we’re off out, so she can find some joy in the park today.
All winter I longed for signs of spring
now the April of dreams is passing with haste,
leaving this world like my sister who’s late.
it would be easy to dread this month of loss
instead I’ll make memories with those I love.
I’ll eat birthday cake in a garden of sunshine
laugh, eat chocolate, drink fizz with friends.
and lie in the bluebells watching the heavens
through a canopy of oak in an iron age fort.
I’ll breathe the fragrance of blossom,
then I’ll honour and give thanks
for each flower that’s spent.
I’ve always had a wanderlust, from my early teens when I’d hitch hike to the beach, or even walk the ten miles to Exmouth. But it was many years before I was able to really indulge myself. One of my favourite places so far is Ghana, the country of smiles, I’d love to go back.
Cape Coast, three hours west of Accra is a lovely place with miles of beautiful beach,
The sea is rough and you’d have to be a far better swimmer than I to venture in.
Much better to sit and enjoy the view of Elmina across the bay. Elmina is peaceful now, but has a horrid history, it was one of the places where slaves were sent, before leaving their homeland forever.
The port was very lively, I could have spent hours there. But we had to travel on,
There were cocoa pods to see, and taste the inside of!
Maybe three hundred miles north of the coast, Lake Volta stretches a vast distance. From Yeji, the crossing is quote short, but the hour or so it takes can be rough and the lake has taken many lives. When I went, the water was flat, and the air was scorching -n Volta is just a few degrees north of the equator, and very silent.
These homes are on a sandbank, and at risk of being flooded. I wonder if they’re still there, maybe Celestine will know?
Ashclyst Forest is National Trust land on the Killerton estate a few miles east of Exeter. There are walks from 30 minutes, suitable for buggies, and various lengths up to about four hours.
I hadn’t been there for several years, but have many times in the past so I knew my way around. Just as well, the waymarked trails were totally confusing because paint had faded on posts and some signs pointed in more than one direction.
A wood is a wood perhaps, but we started off this way.
We’re well into spring now, everywhere is fresh and green.
I’m fairly sure these are different varieties of spurge
I’m a big fan of lichen and mosses.
Every so often there are glimpses through the hedge, under the shade of young leaves, to freshly ploughed fields.
At the lowest reaches of the woods, the distant sound of machinery could be heard, one of the culprits appeared eventually.
I’m usually driving some impossibly narrow lane when I see a tractor working, so this was a real treat for me, I even got a wave from what looked like father and young son.
There were wildflowers a plenty.
Even a baby dragon.
For those of you who like a bit of decay, last years beauty hasn’t quite faded away.
And still the views keep coming.
We’ve only walked a couple of miles, but with eyes wide open and camera ready, so it took nearly two hours.
The dogs can remember this as a mud wallow and were a bit put out, but no worries we’d brought plenty of water for them!
Now, the path is beginning to look a bit more civilised, I wonder what’s through the gate.
A fairy tale cottage, painted in regulation Killerton colour, what a lovely place to live.
Another fifteen minutes and our pootling walk was over. There are no facilities in Ashclyst, but Killerton House is a ten minute drive, combined with the woods it’s a lovely way to spend a day.
I’m walking with Jo for the first time in ages, are you?
Once a month, Paula’s theme is to show a photo in black and white and colour, but she lets us choose our own subject matter. The dandelions are already spreading their fairy wings, to the delight of some but to the horror of gardeners. I’m somewhere in the middle!
Here’s after editing,
and before,
Any preference?
Celebrating Earth Day in the bluebells
Six word Saturday is now hosted by Debbie at Travel with Intent.
Hello my friends, I haven’t been around much lately and I’ve missed you, but I wouldn’t have been very good company. I’m emerging though and have been watching spring doing the same, in my little part of the world.
Thank you all for your sweet messages in the last couple of weeks, even though I haven’t responded, it has meant a lot to me. The friends I’ve made here are so kind and supportive, you’ve touched my heart.
Lucid Gypsy 