Going to bed at night,after previously checking your front door is bolted securely,at least seven or eight times, then pulling closed the heavy curtains, shutting out the fast cooling evening world with its deepening inky blue darkness,. Laying upon the bed, curling your knees up into your chest, covered up by a rather baggy oversized blue nightshirt purloined off ones daughter😁, forming a ball almost feral style …there really is still little guarantees sleep will find you… But somehow I already aware of this.
Even the fact that I had been tired for a number of hours made little difference, My body had however set in motion that slow wind down process soon after I had eaten a very fitting repast earlier that very same evening,. One Of herb incusted thick cut pork chop, baked slices of still crisp sweet fragrant pink lady apple, tiny new potatoes, Broccoli and green beans, normally after a full stomach I struggle to keep my eyes open. Fooled me huh!
Last night just wasn’t to be..my mind whirled around like some new fangled turbo charged washing machine on ultra clean…..thought after thought becoming entangled like so many clothes within and around each other..I have a whole array of tools in my anxiety tool box, to normally combat this, Shut it out long enough to rest somewhat fittingly… however for some reason the tool I needed most must have hidden itself away in some deep dark confine last night…And I was either too tired, too comfortable or just couldn’t be asked to go in search either…and for me that was ok!, being awake in the night hours seldom bothers me..taking some strange other worldly comfort in the knowledge im alone and awake, while most of the world is deep in its slumber…
I’m half watching something on prime called Chicago PD..it’s a fair watch. Its in a similar style to my other old favourites..SVU, NCIS etc, I lay tuning in and out each new episode, thought after thought takes it turn at ruining that usual full concentration…my mind repeatedly drawn by a small cream coloured card container sat on top of the newly refurbished and repurposed Cinnie hutch…(I will explain more on that anon)….But it held nestled within it confines, secure, a most delightful treasure…and my mind wanders across to it throughout the evening,…..it had its own self contained magnetic pull, one despite my best every effort I find difficult to ignore …
As the image sits in the semi darkness of my small living room, there on the highly polished chestnut wood surface all mocking and enticing like,, slowly my mind flits back to some hours earlier..thoughts of a pleasant spell spent within good company.. See Monday morning, I had received a text from my Friend Debbie(she of the Aunty Debbie fame, who Budgie sits for me from time to time. She doesn’t only do that of course😁…We share like many Brits a passion for plants and all things garden…in fact I would say if honest it’s more of a secret addiction..watching things thrive with our help, little green leaves bursting forth each spring, followed later that same year by bright gaudy flowers transforming even the darkest grey leaden skies, it really is quite magical… Maybe even witchcraft😊 …and I for one am not too embarrassed to own it….anyhow will you stop waffling Theresa….Debbie wanted to know would I have a mind for a brief car ride, going out to not only feed our mutual addictions for all things plant ….but shhhh there may well just be cake and coffee involved somewhere… More than very likely knowing us 😁
Rarely leaving the confines of this flat for anything more the a few minutes most days…(normally brief spells spent getting my laundry dry between rain showers)… In fact I was unsure I could even make the effort to get ready, let alone face the daunting prospect of more than one person at any given time..the moment I’ve written the words ‘sure what day and time were you thinking’?, I’m rubuking myself soundly…’why did you just say that.. idiot?’ ‘ why couldn’t you just be busy or sick even’?, Then I instantly feel dreadful what an ingrate…someone gives up their precious time to spend it with you…and they don’t have too…they are just thoughtful….so after suitably chastising myself, by sitting on the naughty step and over thinking about it😁..I begin the slow and laborious effort to readjust my thought pattern….we are going, and you will have fun!!!!… Yes you really will.
I do however alter the arranged day that evening, with which Debbie is fine about bless her, give her a kitkat and she’s fine with most things 😁,. leaving the actual time and final destination completely in Debbies more than capable hands, Debbie knows the area having been born locally, this includes the very best garden centres, tea shops for our visits etc, … Friday morning dawns with a heavy grey murky sky, but on the plus side least it’s remaining dry.. After a restless night, I get up around 6am…I give in to my inner insomniac finally, rubbing blurred, sand filled eyes I manage to locate the kettle, flicking down the switch, a dim blue light shines in the still dark chilly kitchen…while it does it’s thing I go take a quick luke warm shower and wash my hair…bribing myself shamelessly all the while..You can have coffee when you’ve showered….sighs…’ Can’t we coffee first, like now maybe?’ No!!!!!!….my petulant inner child wanted to stamp it’s feet at this point, and would have if only I wasn’t still nursing my knee back into something resembling of a working model…..
As I drink a still very much scalding extra strong brew and put on my makeup (yes I’m clever like that), I can do two things at once…😁, im all the while talking myself into looking forward to the excursion ahead…and in fairness I kind of manage it to … Dropping Debbie a quick text at 10:15 telling her I’m up dressed and ready…well not so much ready part, but up and dressed I can do😁, I had shoved my wallet in my bag the night before…cleaned my shoes and sorted out suitable plant buying attire…I finally went with a new pale green top covered in blousy big pink magnolia, teamed this with comfy trousers…. I’m as Ready as I was ever likely to be!…
First stop was to a local plant seller, there was an abundance of vegetables and perennials beaten back and all held captive under a clear corrugated plastic shelter. We of course needed cash at this point, does anyone still actually carry cash ?😁. it is a good job I keep the odd ten pound hidden away in the back of my wallet for emergencies, amongst ancient till receipts, shopping lists, and photos of Jesse and my children..Yes kids I still do that even now😁…..they know what I’m on about….In the end i bought three healthy large tomato plants and hardy fuchsia for very little money…I love supporting local people, it’s good for local economy …. Goodness knows its needed right now…
From there we drove on, just a few miles out of town into some of the most glorious British countryside, the roadside filled with an abundance of wild flowers. The scarlet red poppies refusing to be ignored nestling in amongst the tall verdant grasses, pretty pastel pink wild roses climbing tall weaving their way through the trees..fluffy clouds of cow parsley, May blossom, golden buttercups, daisies contrasting upon nature’s pallet.
Time travelling
You come upon the well hidden away little Garden centre suddenly, it being tucked away behind banks of swaying trees and grasses, its a welcome oasis of calm,. Outside are lines of well watered trays of tempting plants..other corners hold already flowering roses their perfume sweet, dusky and intoxicating..there are herb sections, a tiny gift shop selling local made crafts, honey and treats..my eyes dart hither and thither trying to hungrily take everything in at once…my early reticence about going out long since forgotten, Debbie stands at my side listening to my over excited cries of look look…she smiles at me because of course she’s seen it all many times before…So I drag Jesse away from he’s work there in phone land….look honey look….he too smiles indulgently, him being all too used to my childish pleasure at simple things…as we stand looking at the most stunning backdrop of burgeoning green arable fields, in the distance a tall far off steeple piercing a steel grey sky….my ears are at once filled with a melodic birdsong..it’s the song for me of my yesteryear..one which harks back to days of youth, wonder and calm..days of laying in one of my favourite haunts, (Tilbury ferry fields, sadly no longer in existence), Laying half hidden amongst the grass, eyes shut tight, listening to the gentle hum of bees, rustling trees and the beautiful call of the fluttering over head skylarks…I’m transported in time to another era, while all to aware of the year im in….
The tea room ….
From the outside it resembles nothing more than your average pine wood log cabin…because of course log cabins belong here in the middle of Lincolnshire….the Windows are steamed up somewhat from the heat within…a blue neon light blinks it’s open for business…as we open the door the warmth rushes to greet us, alongside a stunning sweet smell of pastries, cakes and far too many tempting treats to be healthy, but who needs healthy in a tearoom 😊. My nose tingles and twitches it’s onto something, I smell the air appreciatively, lifting my head to drink it all in, like a blood hound on the trail of a myriad of scents, I’m on the case..only I scent coffee first and foremost…not only coffee though…but good coffee..hot, tantalising, strong roasted beans, and I’m only to ready to be seduced all too easily….Once ive given my order for an XXL Americano I can now settle on other important issues of the day, like Cake of course!!!!!!😁, …this little tea room doesn’t disappoint either, there’s rows of every type of home made confectionery to suit even the most discerning of pallet….mines by no means discerning…just lusting 😁, lusting after all things sickly sweet, sugar coated and cakey….
At first I can’t make up my mind, such is the choice at hand, there’s plump iced Chelsea buns, Carrot cake, Coffee and walnut, every flavour scone your heart could desire, cheese cakes, fruit buns, tea cakes, fruit cake, that great British favourite Victoria sponge, made fresh that very morning, with real dairy cream, strawberry jam and dusted with icing sugar…my eyes flit back and forth till they spy a large platter of jewel like cupcakes…I’m undone and defeated…a cupcake it is, Debbie decided quite rightly on the Vicroria sponge….
We sit at a wooden table next to an old hand cart covered with house plants for sale.. timber walls are decorated with beautiful local water colour scenes, painted by a home grown artist, there’s twinkling fairy lights, objects of long gone times, sepia portraits of very serious looking couples, with equally serious looking children kneeling at their feet, colourful triangle bunting sits above the bright windows.. We chat freely amongst each ourselves, my eyes wondering…..before long though we are waited on by a lovely lady…she grins knowingly as we ooooo and ahhhh over our choice of cakes…. not only do they look Devine, the taste does not by any means disappoint…the sugary vanilla buttercream swirled frosting, instantly reminding me of childhood birthday parties, for not the first time that day im transported back to another date, time and place…for that grand price of just £16:00, for those most glorious treats, Im also unknowingly buying a ticket to travel ….back, way back in time….cheap at half the price……So what was in the cream cardboard box in the living room later that night you ask?????, You may well ask?…I bought home a chocolate cupcake for later, yeah I know, my one true weakness, it would have been so rude not to…🙄😁😁😁😁😁😁, anyhow folks I hope your enjoying bank holiday…if you’ve gone away, where’s me postcard?…if your relaxing at home enjoy… And stay safe all …💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤❤❤❤❤❤💓💓.
My American Man In Purple Lace Corsets 