~ sissinghurst ~

When we lived in Kent -oh a lifetime ago (well, it was 18 years ago) Sissinghurst was only 10 minutes away ... I feel now like I wasted opportunities to visit as often as the me of now would want to. 

The Doc was super kind to me as we did a flying visit to our old haunts...he took the kids to Bodism castle and I had a couple of hours, alone (!), to meander through the gardens and surrounding fields. 

Sissinghurst is impossibly romantic . Harold Nicolson spent years planning all the garden shapes and dimensions and then Vita Sackville-West filled them with gorgeous blooms...lots of different "rooms" with different themes...but all equally lovely (unless like me you swoon for the chaos of the spring bulbs under the lime walk). 

I fell for the charms of Sissinghurst all over again  

~ our joyful moments - week 17 ~

Spring time is full of joys. Unexpected avenues of pink loveliness (I'm still thinking it's autumn!) in Bath for me, while Karin seemingly always has pretty and delicious food. These buckwheat waffles are making me so hungry!!

#ourjoyfulmoments is a photography project for Karin (in Sweden) and Ally (from Tasmania but currently travelling in Europe). 

~ the first week ~

We left home just over a week ago, red cases bulging, uncertain of what was to come but excited. 

So very excited.

So far we've experienced 4 different time zones, all sorts of weather and are settling into the realisation that those bulging cases have to be unpacked and repacked over and over again.  

We can still hardly believe its really happening.

I'm finding it hard to know what time it is, let alone what day it is.  The children have adapted far more quickly - they're coping so well with new beds, new sleeping arrangements (they're all in a fold out together tonight), no routines, lots of walking and strange (to them) food.

We've done 2 bus tours (Singapore during transit and Helsinki), had our first Maccas meal (in the airport) and worn everything from shorts and tshirts to puffers with raincoats over the top.  

Reflections on our first week;

 - they still have capital punishment (hanging) in Singapore.  Who knew?

 - blogging on the ipad/iphone is totally tricky and very frustrating.  I cannot for the life of me work out how to caption photos or change any formatting.

 - I really wish I'd packed my delicate wash-bags (they were put away at home by an overly efficient husband)

 - the Legoland hotel restaurant could be used as a torture device for anyone who appreciates food or a relaxed dining experience - but overall Legoland was a hit

 - Finland was a great stop over point - it was new for all of us, the weather was kind and it got us off to a fabulous start (thanks Jacki)

 - England in the spring time is so very pretty - even from the car windows whizzing along the A30.

 - the Roman baths are as fascinating to me now as they were on a school trip when I was in grade 3 in Bristol

 - we're loving it all

The family is blogging over at www.knowlestravelblog.blogspot.com if you are super keen to catch up on what we're doing (and how the kids see it)

(the pictures above are 1,2 - the main boulevard in Helsinki, 3 - some of the gorgeous spring bulbs decorating the streets of Helsinki,, 4 - detail of the  Sibelius monument in Helsinki, 5 - fields of yellow rape from a moving car as we headed towards Bath)

~ our joyful moments - week 16 ~

This week Karin has found more spring gorgeousness with pretty pink blossoms. 

I'm at the very start of our big trip...we had a few hours in Changi airport and stumbled across the beautiful butterfly enclosure 

#ourjoyfulmoments is a 52 week photography project showing the lovely bits our weeks 

~ our joyful moments - week 15 ~

We've both found joy in nature again this week.  I spent an afternoon strolling in our neighbourhood with my (still) new camera and found these stunning camellias

Karin had fun styling her little posy in this beautiful arrangement on her shelf.

#ourjoyfulmoments is a collaborative project stretching across the world (Tasmania and Sweden) in which we are sharing the little moments that delight us each week.

♥

~ snippets from our last week at home for a while ~

 

1.  The sweetest pom pom dahlias on the kitchen table

2.  When the 5 year old paints

3.  Grape hyacinths - they will be so beautiful - and I'll miss them  - but hopefully our house sitters will enjoy them for me

4.  Lily's section of a mural on the pavillion at school - she assures me its a pika and not a rat.  It will be finished when we get back - will be exciting to see how it turns out.

5.  A delivery of sticky gram magnets this week - they really are cute magnets - if you'd like to make some from your IG photos this code will give you a little discount  - FRIEND0U01

6.  More amazing chocolate snowballs in the making

7.  Gorgeous snail mail as part of the April exchange on #thesnailmailcollective (and IG group) - I am going to miss gettting real mail more than just about anything else when we are away.

We leave this week.  The house is in chaos as we pack and sort and try and get everything ready - and yet the urge to photograph, to document never leaves me.

♥

 
I'm linking up with Em this week and every week to share the little moments that make life wonderful

~ our joyful moments - week 14 ~

Gorgeous pink flowers from both of us this week. 

I found gorgeous pom pom dahlias in my neighbour's lovely cottagey garden (she lets me pick them when she's away) and Karin found beautiful cherry blossoms during a mini-break in Brussells.

#ourjoyfulmoments is a collaborative project stretching across the world (Tasmania and Sweden) in which we are sharing the little moments that delight us each week.

♥

~ snippets of our week ~

 

 

April already -  the chill is in the evening air, the days are shorter and I'm feeling the need for scarves and thick socks. 

1.  I treated myself to a bell person from erinswindow this week. I'm totally smitten - she's beautiful - such a serene look on her face and a gorgeous collection of treasures.  And I can call the children to dinner with her. 

2.  The loom bracelets are breeding I swear.  We're all wearing them - even the Doc.

3.  I was sent a tin of chocolate snowball biscuits and a recipe by a lovely IG contact recently - these were our version - they are simply divine.

4.  We hosted our niece's 9th birthday party this weekend (she just wanted to be with her cousins - so sweet) - this is the apple cake we chose for her - it was a big hit.  Good old women's weekly cake book!

5.  The classic still life - pears on the table in the afternoon light

6.  Wispy, feathery details - another sweet mail gift

7.  Foraged flowers in the window seat (which is used more for photography and storage than sitting)

♥
I'm linking up with Em this week and every week to share the little moments that make life wonderful