Wednesday 10 February 2010

Rock and a hard place

It's as though we are suspended in a no-man's land somewhere between Winter and Spring. The weather gods are playing with us, as I write this the walls of my study and are painted in a beautiful golden~pink light, the sun is rising, rose gold from behind the trees at the bottom of the field.

We have had some tantalising glimpses of spring already this year and yet some days earth really has stood hard as iron. One Morning last week the whole village seemed to be covered in a sparkly, icy crust of diamond chips. My pots full of emerging spring flowers were like sugary crystalised decorations.





And then there have been days and days of sombre grey. Earth more like claggy, sticky bog! Sunday was such a day. Mr.Lane prescribed a circular walk from Penshurst to Chiddingstone and back. Buster Boodle wagged his approval, and we set off.


I think this picture describes the day beautifully! After an hour of my wellies enduring serious liposuction thanks to the heavy clay we were yomping across, we arrived here.






This is the Rock, a tiny and favourite pub at Chiddingstone Hoath. If you ever come to this part of Kent you must seek it out as it is seriously authentic. I love the fact that it retains so much charm but is in no way twee.
Love the Bullseye glass in the doors, which are tiny, you have to stoop! Mr.Lane also recommends our local brew, Larkins.


Yesterday morning I was walking with the Boodle and admiring the newly cut hedges. Farmer Jones has been out and about, busily cutting back last year's growth. The another advantage of this is the verges become more open and I spotted a rather lovely clump of snowdrops.


The hedges look so good! I love the flat tops and the angular lines that the cut gives to the shape and yet the hedge itself is so intricate. This hedge seems so beautiful to me, there are so many patterns.


And little escape routes are revealed, I wonder who uses this?

Much snow is threatened here tommorrow, so I shall be dashing off to buy provisions today. As I said at the beginning of this ramble, the sunrise is beautiful today, and here is the big sky yesterday afternoon.


Hmm, thinking about dumping 10cm's of the white stuff iminently! Like I said, caught between a rock and a hard place!
Hope you are all enjoying your week? I am trying to telepathically send the snow vibes to Canada where it is required shortly for a particular sporting event! ( Let me know if it works Koralee, Heather! )

xXx

35 comments:

  1. Lovely pics Sarah!
    oh my goodness, something I never knew (probably more likely too lazy to realise I mean!), my husband's mum was born in Kent! Her family migrated to Australia after WW2.
    Pub looks a treat, I can see why it would be a regular haunt.
    x

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  2. I know just how you feel about no man's land and as I look out of my window I can see snow coming down. Aaaaargh I can't bear it any longer. I need the Spring, I need the Spring ........

    xx

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  3. That looks like our sort of pub! Know someone who works at the Larkins brewery!
    Hope the snow won't stop you getting out and about.

    Bellaboo :)

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  4. I think you have used your photos and your narative to sum up the last week perfectly. I love your sugared flowers! I think we have suffered more steely grey days in Staffordshire than anything else, but today the sun is shining. Enjoy your snow!

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  5. Love the pub sign..I think pub signs are fascinating!
    No snow here but it's very cold!
    ;-)

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  6. Yes its certainly been veeeerrrry cold here in the South/West. And Monday it snowed practically all day! But lucky us it didnt settle.

    Today has been bright but cold so far.

    Some lovely photo's there and they decribe the weather beautifully.



    MBBx

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  7. Lady Sarah-Jane darling you have described the weather condition perfectly. I love the way you described your pots.."My pots full of emerging spring flowers were like sugary crystalised decorations " this is poetry my luv. Hope your week is going well. Daddy wishes you a lovely rest of the week.

    Love & Hugs
    Duchess

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  8. Good idea to send the snow off packing to Canada! Today, however it is visiting Suffolk, but gladly not settling too much.

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  9. Your frosted spring flowers look beautiful - they would look stunning on a cake. I think primroses are actually edible. I'm off to find out.

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  10. Beautiful pictures and writing!
    ..as we are expecting the snow for tomorrow.I will try to telepathically send the snow vibes to Canada too!
    Enjoy the rest of your week xxx

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  11. Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. We still have all the drearyness and grey, cold, snowy skies, but none of the emerging flowers yet. This is truly the most miserable time of year here. Thanks for taking us along on your walk. That hedge is beautiful indeed.

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  12. Yes, lets send all of our snow to Vancouver!
    The snowdrops are gorgeous! And the pub with the green door looks very inviting, especially after an hour long slog through the mud and muck.
    I just read your previous post too... I saw all those new hard bound classics at Borders Bookstore a week ago. The cover designs are delightful.

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  13. YOU ARE WAY TOO SWEET...so far it is not working...keep at it. Record high spring temps yesterday...a no jacket day for sure. All our blosooms are popping out like crazy. Our snow hills are melting..especially one where the ski jumping is happening...they are making snow like crazy...and shipping it in by the truckloads..it is funny to see these huge trucks filled with snow heading up to the ski hill. Moving it from one mountian to the next. We are soooooo excited ...2 more days. xoxo

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  14. We had tons of snow all day yesterday and all night, at least 12 inches. My dogs are small and had a very hard time doing 'their thing' in the backyard!! But at least it is warm enough t get out and about.

    We have nothing blooming at all and if we did, well, we wouldn't see it for all the white stuff!!

    So, did you stop at the pub to warm up?

    xoxo
    Jane

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  15. Those sugared primulas look good enough to eat.

    The weather is very frustrating. Just when you think its safe to pocket your gloves the north wind do blow!

    Jo

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  16. I do think the pic of the spring flowers with their dusting of snow is very pretty.

    I wish this winter weather would go away and let spring happen properly.

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  17. I loved your blog today ... your photographs are lovely. I haven't seen any snowdrops yet. I seem to have lost all mine, they just haven't appeared this year. I'm longing for an end to this winter ... I think we've all had enough now. Kathy xxx

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  18. Oh I LOVED this walk! Reminds me of my readings of Mary Webb's Precious Bane and Our Village by Mary Mitford. Two old, old favorites.

    This pub looks cozy and just right. I'm THERE!

    Love,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  19. I spy Spring!!

    A lovely walk Sarah and Larkins brew - doesn't that just sound soooo Kentish?

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  20. Ooo love that little pub!

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  21. My vibs are going to Canada too..they need it! You have flowers already?! They are brave little souls aren't they! Come say hi :D

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  22. We had a good dusting here in Suffolk and it is currently swirling around on my patio.
    Oh how I am willing Spring this year but I fear we may see this white stuff into March this time. Fingers crossed we don't! xx

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  23. Hope you didn't get snowed in!
    So many people have been showing pictures odf new snowdrops, they are just so clean and fresh and pleasing to see.
    Lisa x

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  24. Hello Sarah,
    I wish I had visited that area when I lived in Kent. It looks lovely, not like the Kent I remember. I lived in Kent for 17 years and unfortunately I didn't like it much there...I always felt more at home in The West Country even though I was not born here.
    Your photos show me a different side of Kent. I don't really have happy memories of those 17 years there so maybe it tainted my views of Kent...
    Warm wishes
    Isabelle x

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  25. Thank you for such a beautiful walk. I wonder how much snow you got. Here in Virginia, the snowdrops are buried under several feet of snow. And they were just coming into view. Spring will be very welcome this year.

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  26. Did you get snow? We had lots yesterday, but it has all melted away now.

    Pomona x

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  27. SUCH wonderful photos and you lifted my spirits with those beautiful snowdrops, I adore them. We have about 20cm of snow at the moment that surprised us this week, I took some photos for my Blog! I'm also having a special Valentine's Offer at the moment over at my Blog. Happy Weekend, Hugs, Catherine x

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  28. Darling thanks so much for your sweet and caring comments. I treasure our friendship and wanted to wish you a lovely weekend and a love filled Valentine’s Day.

    Love & Hugs
    Duchess

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  29. Gorgeous pictures, which truly reflect the weather, the winter is dwindling and spring is trying to win through. Come on Spring we need you x

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  30. lovely walk with a good old country pub along the way ;0) sounds like you had more snow down your way :0( mum's been hit by it on the south east coast. i hope it's all gone now though & it feels more like spring! x

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  31. Such pretty snowdrops and 'sugar frosted' flowers!
    (Hmmm, they sound yummy - Humphrey)
    Love Charlotte
    x

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  32. I love the crystallized garden and that amazing tree photo! Just wanted to let you know that I pulled your name out of the hat last Monday so you won the magazines I am giving away - let me know if you'd like them? louise.mulhall@hotmail.com xo Louise from Floralovely

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  33. I think your blog is magical, so very glad that I stumbled upon you :-)
    Blessings,
    Deb

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  34. Hi! What's your opinion on who are your average readers?

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