Saturday, 2 September 2017

The Walk

The guests have departed, August is over, and once again my birthday has come and gone.
Being an end of August child my memories are all bathed in fields rippling with gold - scenes of harvest time, fruits ripening, and a new school year beginning. Back then crop gathering would be in full swing, but now they ripen earlier and are already safely gathered in.
We like to take a family birthday walk together and see what nature and the countryside are up to, and every year we tend to be fortunate and have perfect walking weather. 




I pride myself on knowing most of our native wild flowers, but this one growing in profusion along the canal banks was a mystery. The flowers and seed heads appeared similar to Himalayan Balsam which led me on to the correct answer. It is a member of the same family i.e the Balsaminaceae family to which the Busy Lizzie also belongs - it's name is Impatiens carpensis - orange balsam.














The wild flowers, fruits, and berries were a delight, and youngest son spotted four Kingfishers, which made his day.
Along the canal towpath we discovered a restaurant which was perfect for lunch.


Then hastened to our next destination to see a small exhibition of iconic personal belongings which were kindly loaned by Zandra Rhodes.
    
 via wiki
'Egg Hat'
Zandra Rhodes was made a Dame in 2015 by the Princess Royal at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace, and this is the hat that she wore for the occasion. It was designed for her by Piers Atkinson which was made using Swarovski crystals.
'Blue Haired Lady at Night' - Zandra's own artwork,
signed and dated 1982 from her private collection
'Cherry Hat'
Zandra went to afternoon tea at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Princes Trust and wore this hat.
'Flower Hat'
from her personal collection by Piers Atkinson
'Andrew Logan Shoes'  
These were made for Zandra in the 1970s - her favourite shoes!
'Field of Lillies Gown'
Designed by Zandra in 1975.
In 1977 it was worn by Donna Summer, and used on the cover of her Album 'Once Upon a Time'.
Detail in the 'Field of Lilies Gown' 
   'Diana Dress'
One of the dresses designed by Zandra for Princess Diana, and replicated here on a stamp.
  I wonder, is this small cottage waiting here for me?
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39 comments:

  1. Parnassus2 September 2017 at 10:30

    Hello Rosemary, Happy belated birthday! What a nice way to celebrate--nature, old stone buildings, lunch, and then for contrast outré fashions. The beauty and abundance of summer and fall fruits is something that never fails to enthrall.
    --Jim

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    1. Rosemary2 September 2017 at 21:48

      Hello Jim and thank you for your birthday greetings - there is a sadness that summer is beginning to draw to its close, but nevertheless it is a lovely time of the year.

      Delete
  2. biebkriebels2 September 2017 at 11:15

    She is such a flamboyant woman with her designs, love the over the top items of her.

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 09:16

      Not many people could get away with wearing the outfits that she does - she is always so colourful, it makes you smile.

      Delete
  3. Catherine2 September 2017 at 14:42

    A belated happy birthday Rosemary. What a great way to spend it, on a wonderful walk with your family. The Golden Heart looks like a lovely spot for lunch. What a view! :-))
    I am afraid this is the first time I have ever heard of Zandra Rhodes. I did enjoy seeing all her eccentric finery. I really like her 'Blue Haired Lady at Night.'
    I am still hoping you will find a need to visit Whichford Pottery. If not this fall, perhaps in the spring. :-) XXX

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    1. Rosemary2 September 2017 at 21:52

      Thank you very much for your greetings Catherine - I promise that I will make it to Whichford Pottery at some stage for you - I don't know where the time has gone this year.

      Delete
  4. Mac n' Janet2 September 2017 at 15:27

    I'm impressed with your knowledge of wild flowers, had no idea impatiens were a wild flower. Love the hats, but not sure I'd have the nerve to wear one of them.

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    1. Rosemary2 September 2017 at 21:54

      Although Impatiens grow as flowers in our gardens, I have seen them growing wild in the Brazilian forests.

      Delete
  5. Coastal Ripples2 September 2017 at 19:12

    Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday with a perfect walk. You live in such a pretty part of the world. Love the soft mellow stone of the buildings. B x

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    1. Rosemary2 September 2017 at 21:57

      The Cotswold stone buildings do tend to enhance the countryside rather than detract from it which I do love too.

      Delete
  6. Janey and Co.2 September 2017 at 22:54

    As usual a most interesting and colorful post. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. Oh my I bet everything ZAndra designs is always un forgetable!

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 08:52

      Zandra is amazing - she is now 76 years old, and has been around sporting bright pink hair for the past 50 years.

      Delete
  7. Lorrie3 September 2017 at 01:33

    A walk with family is a delightful way to celebrate a birthday. Belated birthday greetings to you. The countryside is lush these days as summer comes to a close. Zandra Rhodes is a new name to me, but what flair she has for design.

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 08:56

      Zandra is still extremely avant garde even though she has been designing and creating dresses etc for over half a century.

      Delete
  8. Mary3 September 2017 at 01:40

    Zandra Rhodes - such an amazing designer!
    Lovely to know you were walking through such beautiful countryside to celebrate special moments of the year - belated Happy Birthday dear Rosemary, and here's to many, many more.
    Can I put 'Rose' in front of 'Mary' and grab the pretty cottage for moi please!!!!!!?
    Happy September days - hope they are relaxing and happy for you and the family.
    Hugs - Mary

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 08:59

      Dear Mary - thanks for your birthday greetings, another year has come and gone, where do they go to?
      OK I will let you have the cottage as there is bound to be another with my name on waiting around for me.

      Delete
  9. blueskyscotland3 September 2017 at 01:54

    Very lush and green waterways there. Reminds me of Ophelia and Constable paintings for some reason but updated into today's terms. Zandra Rhodes was featured a while ago on unusual houses (her own) and came across really well.

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 19:44

      Now that you mention it, I can also see Millais's Ophelia painting too. I didn't realise that Zandra was quite as old as she is - she has always been ahead of the game.

      Delete
  10. Betty3 September 2017 at 01:59

    Glad you spent such a happy day on your birthday Rosemary. Your photos are beautiful, as always. I think photo number six (red and green berries) is outstanding.
    Enjoy the beautiful days of Autumn. Look forward to your posts.

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 09:04

      Lovely to hear from you Betty and hope that you are well - glad that you enjoyed seeing the berries.

      Delete
  11. Patricia3 September 2017 at 02:17

    Happy Birthday dear Rosemary, and what a special treat to see this exhibition on your birthday ramble. I remember when Princess Anne used to wear some Zandra Rhodes gowns, and always loved them. What exquisite pieces your saw, and I particularly love the blue cherry hat. The orange balsam is an intriguing flower, and a nice discovery on your special day.

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 09:11

      Thank you Patricia for your birthday greetings - I have been absent from the computer because of revamping the kitchen followed by a housefull of guests.
      I was very excited when I found the Orange Balsam, I thought that I was aware of all our wild flowers.

      Delete
  12. Susan Heather3 September 2017 at 06:12

    I always enjoy walks in the English countryside, even though these days they are done through the internet. Lovely exhibition.

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    1. Susan Heather3 September 2017 at 06:13

      Oops - I meant to say belated Happy Birthday.

      Delete
    2. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 09:12

      Perhaps you might be able to get back home for a trip one day - thank you for your birthday greetings♡

      Delete
  13. BacktoBodrum3 September 2017 at 06:49

    Happy Birthday. Love the hats.

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    1. Rosemary3 September 2017 at 09:13

      Thank you very much - Zandra is extraordinary, is'nt she.

      Delete
  14. Jane4 September 2017 at 19:41

    A belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY , hope you had a wonderful day ! Love Zandra's favorite red shoes !

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    1. Rosemary4 September 2017 at 22:46

      Thank you for your birthday greetings Jane - I do look as if they are made out of very soft leather.

      Delete
  15. Down by the sea4 September 2017 at 20:11

    Belated Birthday wishes Rosemary that looks a perfect way to celebrate your birthday! It shows you don't need to be in London to visit amazing exhibitions! I haven't seen the orange balsam here, the pink version has smothered our river banks down here, the orange version looks equally invasive. Sarah x

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    1. Rosemary4 September 2017 at 22:49

      Thank you Sarah - the Himalayan Balsam is very invasive and a threat to other species, but at the moment, according to websites, the Orange Balsam is not considered to be so, but a watchful eye is being kept on it - it is a much smaller, neater sized plant.

      Delete
  16. Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder6 September 2017 at 14:14

    Dearest Rosemary,
    First off, happy belated Birthday to you!
    My youngest brother's Birthday is on August 29 and that was exactly 34 years ago that we immigrated... Time is flying but memories will forever remain in our hearts.
    You sure do have fond memories of summer blooms, around your Birthday.
    Lovely walk and interesting exhibit too.
    Sending you hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Rosemary6 September 2017 at 22:21

      Thank you Mariette for your kind birthday greetings - usually following my birthday it feels as if autumn is in the air, but this year, for some strange reason, there is still not sign of it, and everything is still very lush and green.

      Delete
    2. Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder6 September 2017 at 23:42

      💕

      Delete
  17. Sandi7 September 2017 at 18:40

    Our world is a beautiful place.

    And, yes, I think that cottage is waiting for you!

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  18. orvokki7 September 2017 at 19:35

    You don't know how much I enjoy to watch your photos. They are every time so beautiful and full of interest things. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Bea Cupcake8 September 2017 at 23:24

    Funky! Very cool
    Becky <3

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  20. helen tilston15 September 2017 at 20:35

    Hope you had a great birthday Rosemary and what a perfect way to celebrate, a walk, lunch and art. It does not get any better.
    Helen xx

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  21. Yvette28 September 2017 at 23:46

    It's an enchanted fairy land, Rosemary. When England is green and the sun shining, there's no place else in the world as lovely. And on top of that, you have those smashing Zandra Rhodes hats.

    ReplyDelete

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