Homage to Hardy (amongst other things)

So I've been terrible at all this blogging, I find it difficult to decide what is worth externalising for viewing. There's a weird sense of a 3rd person thing, whereby I am hugely aware of this sort of construction of self... I can imagine that some of the blogs I stumble upon are a false construction of self for the purposes of others. I seem to get so caught up in this I find it hard to even post about myself, as I don't want to be false in anyway.

Anyhow, my headspace has been minimal of late, so I'm taking the time now to make a few posts to catch up with what I've been up to.

A few weeks ago now, (gosh, I can't believe its been so long!) my mum came up to stay from Dorset for a couple of nights before taking me back to visit friends and have a bit of a chill out.
Whilst she was up, we went for a little mooch around the charity shops in Tywyn and on the way back came through a beautiful place called Happy Valley.

It was really lovely to be able to spend some time together and explore my new surroundings.

On the way through the valley we stopped at a car park and went to find the Bearded Lake...

We had no idea how far we'd have to walk, but I didn't mind as it was stunning.

Here are a couple of photos of the lake which was so so peaceful.

After a short stay here in Wales, we drove back to Dorset, with a brief stop in Abergavenny for a look around the farmers market and to get a little lunch. 

Back in the shire I caught up with some friends and their babans (which I shall share in another post) and got to spend some quality time with my mum, this involved going to some galleries, drinking coffee and also going somewhere I've not been since I was tiny...

Up the road to Hardy's Monument.
<3
I have vague recollections of this place from when I was younger, perhaps 7 or 8, and have since read many of his books. The thing I really love about his novels is the importance of place and the landscape, the images he creates and the attachment the characters have to the space in which they reside. I find with Hardy, I can really identify with the places he describes, mostly due to the fact that I grew up in the same area as he wrote about.

It was just as magical as I had remembered...

(mum looks so little aside this amazing structure!)

This monument can be seen from the A35 between Dorchester and Bridport and looks out to the coast as well as inland to the moor-like areas, woodland and farmland. 

 There are aspects of this place which seem to be a part of me and are so eloquently described by Hardy, I will end this post with a quote from one of my favourite books of his...

"The rambler who, for old association or other reasons, should trace the forsaken coach-road running almost in a meridional line from Bristol to the south shore of England, would find himself during the latter half of his journey in the vicinity of some extensive woodlands, interspersed with apple-orchards.  

Here the trees, timber or fruit-bearing, as the case may be, make the way-side hedges ragged by their drip and shade, stretching over the road with easeful horizontality, as if they found the unsubstantial air an adequate support for their limbs.  

At one place, where a hill is crossed, the largest of the woods shows itself bisected by the high-way, as the head of thick hair is bisected by the white line of its parting.  The spot is lonely." 

The Woodlanders Thomas Hardy

xxx

a bit of an update

Firstly, we've all been enjoying the lack of rain and getting in the garden. 

Digging and building, gathering rocks...

and some have been climbing trees!

We've finished two beds, removing turf and pulling out tons of slate which we've used to build some walls. 

I'm so pleased we've made a start on the garden, well only the front for now as there are lots of foxgloves in the back and we're waiting to see what other treats might spring up back there.

We've now started on the third semi-circular bed and planned where we will put four square beds for veggies. 

I cannot wait for springtime!

I have also been making use of a lovely christmas present from my lovely friend Ashley.

It such a pretty mug hug, beautiful cable... and it works too.

After a spell of productivity outdoors we got hit with a very chilly frost!

I mean Brrrrrrrrrrr!

Though it did make for a pretty picture

I have also made another batch of chilli jam, this time with less vinegar and more chilli, and its really much nicer that the first lot I made! 

And just in time to give as a gift for some friends who have just moved to a lovely farmhouse down the road.

I have ALSO been assisting a man named Pete, a film maker and creator of Culture Colony.

We travelled to North Wales to document the opening of an exhibition of work by Wanda Zyborska and Glyn Davies.

I really loved being back in a gallery space, and listening to everyone's opinions and thoughs about the piece.

&&&&&

Jamz and I went to the Old Tannery in town, which is a space owned by the Museum of Modern Art in Wales, a beautiful building which is being transformed in to an art space. At the moment it is being used by artists with culture colony to exhibit work to the public.

We will be having our own exhibition here later in the year!!

 Lots of hugely exciting things to be getting on with. 

And I'm also looking forward to heading back to Dorset for a few days and seeing people I have been missing rather alot.

XXXXX

Bring in the New

We had a lovely Christmas, eating lots and enjoying the fire and some wonderful gifts 

 

(I've been LOVING the wool from my best friend Ashley, I've begun knitting squares for a blanket!)

 

and James and I went out to a party for New Years, 

which was so much fun, 

nice to remember that we can go out and have fun still! 

hahaahaa...

Hope everyone had a special festive season!

Recently, we've been savoring the infrequent breaks in the rain.

It seems to be a rare thing to see the sky at the moment! 

 We spent a little while at Clarach bay...

Enjoying the sky but not so much the freezing wind!

And seemingly blending into the surroundings!

Jamz mum has been in Cuba over the festive period, 

so we've had a few extra weeks to get her present sorted.

I decided to bite the bullet and actually use the leather which I got when I was living in Totnes and have looked at and put away so many times before.

Its so so nice, I just didn't want to destroy it!!

I made a couple of smallish bags, one of which will be a gift.

I love the bright colours

especially all together, and though I wasn't entirely sure about the pink to begin with, 

but I like it a little more now...

I ended up with a pretty bruised hand at the end of it, 

as once I start something and see it come together, I get a bit full on in order to have the final thing. 

I will try and slow it down a bit, less mistakes and all that...!

Today, after drawing up plans and deciding to gather rocks, 

we started our first bed in the garden!

The only plant in the front barely living is a sage which was left by the previous tennants, 

so we decided to give it a proper bed and start sorting things out so we can try and get stuff in to grow this year.

 

 We've got lots of ideas and its really exciting to get this going! 

This evening I'm making more Chilli Jam... Already!

xxxxxx