Sunday 4 May 2014

We're off to see the Wizzy...


This post is purely to solicit a response from the Hattatts. It is of H.I., sitting in God's spotlight at Iford Manor this afternoon, wearing her new, Orgreen sunglasses.

Her: "I have been wearing my old sunglasses for 30 years now."

Me: "So that means you have only spent £500 on sunglasses in 30 years. That's still quite a lot."

Her: "No, I don't think so..."

Me: "Yes, you are right. You have had at least two other pairs since I moved in about 25 years ago, so let's call it £1000 in 30 years, shall we?"

Her: "I don't think so... Anyway, have a look at the blue of that front door against the Wisteria using these sunglasses!"

She moves toward the light like a moth and, once there, basks in it like a reptile.


34 comments:

  1. I found a pair a few months ago, my one and only sunglasses, I have since lost them.
    She does remind me of Patsy.
    Merle........

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    1. Have you looked on the top of your head, Merle?

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  2. She's beautiful - and I'm envious that she can wear sunglasses

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    1. Can't anyone wear sunglasses?

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    2. Well given that I wear glasses, it's kind of bulky to put sunglasses on, too

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  3. Did you both partake of 'Tea Today'?

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    1. p.s. My £50 Ray Bans have lasted for over 40 years; just over a quid a year.

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    2. Yes, we had a cream tea. I have some Rayban Wayfarers which constantly fall off my nose. I also have some Polaroids which don't. £10 each, many years ago.

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  4. Such a lovely photo of H.I. - and she has so ravishingly beautiful hair! Speaking about investments into good worthy things: think of your shoes.

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    1. Oh yes. £1200 in 15 years. That's nothing compared to the expenditure on H.I.'s wardrobe over the last 45 years though.

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  5. Hello Tom,

    How right you are.......here we are!

    H.I. looks fabulous. Casual elegance par excellence. We love the leopard print shoes and the sunglasses add the perfect touch of Hollywood glamour. Divine!

    Iford Manor is, in our view, a great garden. A delightful combination of carefully considered architectural elements combined with interesting planting schemes. It is a joy in every season and there are very few gardens that can live up to that. We should certainly never tire of visiting it and we often fantasised about living and gardening there ourselves.

    And teas are now served, we notice. That was not the case in our day but then it is a while since we have last visited. What a perfectly delicious way to spend a sunny afternoon.

    We do hope to see H.I. featuring in the flesh in your posts more often. Glamour is in short supply these days and we need every opportunity to bring more into our lives

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    1. If ever I become a little concerned about the welfare of Jane and Lance, I know that all I need do is mention Iford Manor to check up on them.

      Yes, a couple of pretty girls have been serving cream-teas and cakes there for quite a few years now, and they are refreshed every Spring - the girls and the cakes.

      We go there every Spring to see the Wisteria and the girls, but H.I. is more interested in the Wisteria.

      H.I. has been glamorous since the age of about 14, but I think it best to dish her out in small doses.

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    2. P.S. - I'm trying to persuade her to give up the touch of leopard-skin as being too 'Coronation Street', but she is a Northerner, so has to keep going with it. You can take the girl out of Sheffield...

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    3. Hello again Tom,
      Yes, Iford Manor does it for us every time. And, now we can imagine the Wisteria against those wonderful stone walls too....sighhhhh.

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    4. Just for you, I will tag on a picture of the wisteria right now.

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    5. P.S. We too represent a North/South divide but feel that gives our shared lives the best of both worlds. Do not attempt to tame the leopard that is what makes life worth living!

      H.I. looks to be much more Royal Crescent than Coronation Street!

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    6. There's your Wizzy above. Yes, you are right. I must -and do, of course - love her just the way she is, and always will be.

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    7. Thank you it is lovely. Festival mauve against that ochre colour washed stone. Perfect.

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    8. Talking of festivals, did you know that Iford Manor has an opera one there every year? Sounds right up your street!

      Go here to see it:

      http://visitbath.co.uk/whats-on/iford-arts-festival-p1364353

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    9. Absolutely up our street. Thank you for the link. A wonderful mix......but the prices.....eye watering. We are clearly totally spoiled and out of touch here in Budapest. We can sit in the best seats in the glorious Opera House for less than half the price at Iford.

      But, what was truly amazing was that the Puccini opera 'La Rondine' which is to be performed this season takes its inspiration from Luisa Marchesa Casati.......the subject of our next post.......eerie.....

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    10. It must be very intimate to see an opera in the Peto garden - you could probably reach out and touch the performers. Maybe that's what you pay for.

      We in the South of England have been squeezed dry by the prices of everything, so our eyes do not water any more.

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    11. Mmmmm.......touching the performers......not sure that this would be worth the extra money. And, for that matter we can be embraced by the Hungarian National Ballet performers after each show........they are friends and it is what people do here in Budapest........for absolutely no extra cost whatsoever.

      By the way, we are sure that H.I. would love Horsted Place for tea.....but it might run out a little more expensive than scones and jam at Iford.....

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    12. Scones, jam and tea is £9.90 for two at Iford, which - if my maths are correct - is not far short of £10. Oh well, I suppose I wouldn't do it for less, and at least I can gawp at the young girls for the inclusive price.

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  6. You seem almost human. Very poetic last line. A small dose of H.I. helps to visualise you too.

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    1. 'Almost' is good enough for me. I have H.I. on tap, so I get large doses on a daily basis.

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    2. If I may say so, and even though I know it isn't for me, I like the addition of the other picture because I was wanted to see the blue door. Thank you.

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    3. You're welcome, Rachel. I don't know why I didn't include it before.

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