This and that on Friday

What changeable weather we're having!  Above photos were taken yesterday.  The garden birds were out in force picking off the berries from the hawthorn tree.  Pigeons were getting in on the act.

This morning I went down to the library to pick up a book I'd reserved.  The leaves that are beginning to display their Autumn colours are already falling or dry and curled up so not that pretty.  

I stood and watched a grey squirrel scrabbling in the ground and then as quick as a flash once it had scampered away a magpie came along, took advantage of the disturbed earth and started looking for insects and worms.

Across the road the row of small shops were displaying some seasonal items.  Below is the shop dedicated to Lego bricks, figurines and boxed sets that can be made up into themed scenes.

The display in the window of the shop that frames pictures and sells gifts held my interest.  

A local corner shop changed hands a while ago.  I remember when our daughter and family lived nearby and before we retired to the area.  We would come up to Sheffield for a holiday and the grandchildren would spend the pocket money we gave them.  In those days this corner shop was called after a well known television programme featuring Ronnie Barker and sold everything you could possibly need and more.  Although there are new owners it's very popular for a different reason as the items sold are locally sourced, the fruit and vegetables are organic and you can buy bakery goods and sit outside with your refreshments.  Most of the corner shops have gone as shopping habits have changed.  There was a fascinating television series that was filmed in Sheffield about the development of the corner shop from Victorian times until the present day.  At the moment the same series on BBC2 is featuring schools and how they've changed over recent times called Back in Time For School.  

A new mural on the gates was recently painted by a local artist and local places have been included such as the church, the corner shop, the library in the Big House, the park, the primary school and the river.

the original corner shop

the new makeover

On day I bought a packet of loose breakfast tea from this shop and had a good look around to see what was on offer.  It's useful to have these small businesses close by.

At the top of the lane is our parish church and churchyard. 

After coming home from my walk by the church I must have had horse chestnut trees on my mind.  Photographing the skylight above a main  door which has engraved horse chestnut leaves on it seemed appropriate. :)

Only one book was ready to collect from the library, but I'm sure it'll be interesting as it's a new Peter May crime novel featuring Enzo Macleod who's half Italian, half Scottish. He's a forensic scientist who lives in France.  One aspect of the novel is about the wartime years of Occupied France and the other is set in the Autumn of 2020 as France re-enters Covid lockdown.

I picked up a booklet about the literary festival that takes place in the city at this time of the year. Some of the events will be held online this year, but also there will be guest authors coming to speak about their recent published books.  I don't think I'll be attending this year, but I'm glad that this annual event will take place in a limited way.

This afternoon the sunshine and blue skies have returned!  Whatever the weather I hope you're having a good day.  Have a great weekend too.

Tulip Time and Other Happenings In The Garden

 

Here are a few mosaics to share with you as Mr P and I enjoy the sunny weather and the garden.  Mr P hasn't stopped gardening even though the bout of shingles is still bothering him somewhat.  Usually mornings are the best time for him to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine.  The new greenhouse is becoming a good place to be as he prepares the soil for growing some tomatoes and keeping his cuttings and other seedlings until he can plant them out.  There's still room next to the greenhouse to have a small raised bed for other vegetables. (The covered yard - not shown today - is also full of plants and seedlings in pots and it's another area we both appreciate because of the warmth and shelter it provides when there's a chill in the air).

A robin is flitting in and out of the garden and a blackbird has made a nest in the hedge.  I like to go out early in the morning and walk around the garden and to my surprise I saw the mother blackbird sitting on her nest and as there's a male blackbird hovering around it's good to see the activity high up in this quiet spot between next door neighbours' fence and our cedar hedge.

Finally, I'm never without flowers to display in the front living room window thanks to the thoughtfulness of members of our family.  I love white flowers so this pot of chrysanthemums was much appreciated as a gift from our local grandson.  Chrysanthemums in particular seem to last a long time.

Thank you for coming by.  I hope you have a very good weekend whatever you're doing.  As ever I'll catch up with you soon.