Magic at Haddon Hall

 The exhibition Magic at Haddon Hall tells the story of rituals, charms and superstitions in Elizabethan England.

In the courtyard were displays of superstitions we know of today.  Things we think will bring bad luck.

Things like - never walk under ladders, never put new shoes on the table, don't put up an umbrella indoors, touching wood, black cats crossing your path and throwing salt over the left shoulder if any is spilt.

In the main hall are displays about witch marks, broomsticks, things kept or done for protection against evil spirits and the saving of lucky charms.

The kitchen displays tell of the magic surrounding apples in Elizabethan times.  

All around the house are details of the way Elizabethan (and I assume those before and after) people dealt with their fears and superstitions.

In the Long Gallery details of 'witches' - often just wise and capable women - and the way they were treated.

 

The rooms adjacent to the main hall dealt with the themes of lotions and potions, poisons and herbs for healing, the fear of some birds and animals who were thought to bring bad luck.

Apologies for some of the photos not being of great quality as lighting was very low - for obvious reasons.  The whole place was very atmospheric.

Back soon

A Day Away

 Last week we travelled over to Leicester to spend the day with my cousin and her husband.  We were both born in the city, her family stayed there.  We moved away when I was six years old.

After a lovely meal at the Badger's Sett in Cropston we walked at nearby Bradgate Park.

There were so many deer there both Red deer and Fallow deer.  I managed a few snaps of them but it began to rain so they are not the best.  

The ruins of the former residence of the Grey family and the home of the tragic Lady Jane Grey - queen for just nine days - was surrounded in scaffolding and is being refurbished.

We decided to stay overnight at Ashby de la Zouche where we met this little fellow before we moved on to visit Calke Abbey.

It seemed quite a while since we had visited Calke.  I looked back and it was 2016.  I wanted to see the Auricula Theatre full of pumpkins and squashes.

It looked amazing

We didn't go in the house this time but wandered in the gardens and up to the church.

There were more deer to see.  The stags were bellowing, you could hear them across the park.

All for now.

Books and Baskets

 On Wednesday we had a lovely day out when we met up with old friends from Beeston, Nottingham at the village of Cromford in Derbyshire. (I mention Nottingham as there is also a Beeston in Cheshire, not so many miles away)   Cromford is a great place to meet up being about halfway between their home and ours.

Cromford is most famous for its industrial history and heritage.  It's two mills - Arkwright's Mill and the later Masson Mill - both are open for visits, although perhaps seasonal in the case of the latter. The village is also known for its canal side walks and I've taken you to these places many times over the years I've been writing this blog.  In fact my very first post was about Dab Chicks on the Cromford Canal. 

On this visit we stayed in the centre of the village.  One of it's main attraction is, of course, Scarthin Books - link to their website.  Again I've written about the shop before.  I love its higgledy-piggledy rooms, creaky stairs and overloaded bookshelves also the café hidden behind them. 

After morning coffee there we spent ages looking at the books.  Our friends bought some books but this time we didn't make any purchases.  

When we visited  earlier this year I bought a Persephone book. Here is a link to the post I wrote in January. I always love their bright window boxes.

After a leisurely lunch at The Boat Inn went in search of the basket makers - link to their website.

They are based at the Water Mill on Water Lane across the mill pond from the bookshop.

There were lots of lovely baskets in the retail area.  

Our friends wanted to enquire about basket repairs as they had an old beloved basket that had a broken handle.

All too soon it was time to say farewell and set off for home. 

Morning Mist

 There was a discussion on breakfast news this morning about the difference between mist and fog.  Some areas woke up to fog this morning but I think here it would have been classed as mist.

It wrapped around the garden like a flimsy cloak.

Hanging damply in the trees over the hedge in the little school nature reserve where Mr Fox lives.

There were cobwebs everywhere made visible by the dew.

Drops of moisture shivered and fell from tree branches.

And bright berries shone out in the gloom

The first morning in October that has looked and felt Autumnal.

It's amazing how many flowers there are still in the garden, some usually seen in late Spring and summer.

Hardy Geranium

Hardy Begonia

Clematis

Foxglove

Hydrangea

As I write this the mist has lifted and a weak sun has made an appearance.  We've had an hour in the garden dead heading, cutting back and clearing some of the debris of summer.  It's time to cosy up with a good book and a mug of tea.

Take care.