Daisy flowers have many names This common white flower with an iconic yellow centre is known common daisy, lawn daisy, English daisy and bruisewort. I hear that historically it was traditional to mash up flowers & apply to broken veins in face to improve complexion. I have no idea whether this has any modern validity!…
Stellaria holostea | Greater stitchwort
Stitchwort – a tiny white flower This tiny white flower with pretty orange anthers is common in Sussex, to the extent that I wasn’t going to photograph it until my daughter insisted. The flowers are about 2cm across, and we found the one photographed below in an open area, growing alongside a concreted footpath. Stitchwort…
A walk along Seaford Head
Walking in the South Downs National Park Here is an article I wrote last summer about a local walk. It is June and I am sitting at the top of Seaford Head I am perched above the 100ft white cliffs, about 15ft from the edge. I am not sitting on a bench, but straight on…
Remembering a walk by painting a shadow
A painting of a walk Last week during the Christmas break, I went on a lovely walk with my family. I took this photograph of myself, surprised the shadow was so long (it was about 1pm when I took this). Looking for an activity on a wet afternoon the other day, I thought I’d copy…
A winter walk with storm kettle
Mike asked for a storm kettle for Christmas I must admit I didn’t know what one was. I did a little homework and found out it is a kettle small and handy enough to be taken on hikes. You light a fire at the bottom of a small metal chimney which is double-walled to contain…
Natural Christmas decorations and an open fire
Christmas at home Natural Christmas decorations I am not an eco freak but I love to do things the natural way wherever possible. Being the owner of a dried flower shop, my work quite often overflows into my home life: this year our tree was smothered in natural Christmas decorations. An open fire Another example…
Klimt at the National Gallery
Facing the Modern – The Portrait in Vienna 1900 Loving this art exhibition! I visited this exhibition at the National Gallery in London a few days ago. I was particularly drawn by the prospect of seeing a painting or two by Gustav Klimt (1862-1918), and seeing where his style may have originated. I particularly enjoy…
Why buying logs is easier than visiting the butcher
A lunchtime chat about buying logs My husband Mike and I like to do something different on a Friday for lunch, and last week we put a camembert cheese and some bread in the oven to bake. As we were eating, we had an interesting discussion about buying logs. We had just received a delivery…
Getting out and about
Hi, I’m Ruth and here is a pic of me on the beach in the sunshine, having a picnic with my kids. The purpose of this blog is to celebrate all things leisure in my life. I run my own business so need to make the most of every moment away from the desk! It’s…