The past week felt very odd. Too many things to be stressed about; very grey and humid weather which wasn’t terribly pleasant; badly handled school results for 18 year olds (a friend’s daughter who was predicted very high grades missed out on the course she wanted because of one grade, so tears and frustration).
In addition, in general, the fragrances I picked to wear were all wrong for the season and the weather and I have no clue why I kept choosing them. They were clearly much more appropriate for colder, dry weather. I’m hoping I do better this week.
But, a few lovely and pleasant things that did occur last week.
Number 1. My son and some friends finally managed to arrange a camping trip for the end of this month. They’ll surf and eat poorly and just have fun together. The best thing about it though to my mind (beyond them getting to spend time together before they all go off to different cities) is a trip to the Eden Project (https://www.edenproject.com/). If you live in the UK and have never been it’s well worth the faff of getting to Cornwall. If you don’t live in the UK and manage to come here on holiday at some point in the future it is worth a detour. The train down from London skirts the Atlantic Coast and has amazing views. I would not drive unless you’re used to driving in the UK. There’s a short bus journey at the end of the train ride.
Number 2. I received my Daylesford Farm Vine Tomato candle (I discovered there was a small version which only set me back £14). And it is wonderful. Fruity and green. Plus, it comes in a sort of mason-like jar, so will still be useful after the wax is gone. Looking forward to lighting it when we’re in rainy season and through the winter (which is mostly rainy season, just colder). Last Christmas, the guy I work for (he doesn’t call us his workers, rather his colleagues) sent a Daylesford box. It was tremendously good, full of lovely things packed in a wooden crate that I plan to re-purpose for planting (if the builders haven’t made off with it – I left it in the back garden).
Number 3. Joe the Lab is booked into a new dog day camp for an assessment, so he has somewhere to go on moving day. He loves hanging with other dogs, though he is not partial to small dogs or dogs that bark a lot and loudly. I am looking forward to hearing the assessment because while he is wonderful and we love him to bits, he tries to jump on people who are not us. He did puppy class, but that lesson didn’t stick. So, unless we’re in a deserted field, he has to walk on a lead, which I think he has turned into him walking us, keeping us safe. So much responsibility.
Number 4. Almost every day I walk past a house – either on the dog walk or the solo walk – which has what I think is a magnolia tree in front of one wall. The blossoms smell incredible: citrus-lemon with a bit of honey mixed in. And they are huge and beautiful. Is it late for a magnolia to still be blooming? I think it’s a magnolia grandiflora (but correct me if I’m wrong – see pic) and I would love to have one of these in my garden, but it (the garden) is way too small.
Number 5. I finally (after several months of looking) found a vertical wall-mounted coat rack for the house-house. This is a narrow house, with a narrow entry way leading straight to the stairs. So, I can’t have anything that takes up space. There are hooks under the stairs, but I needed something to toss coats and scarves on to that are used regularly – and I didn’t want to spend the earth which I didn’t have to with this.
In any case, wish me luck in getting my fragrance choices right this week. Hope things haven’t been stressful for you and your weather has been pleasant and enjoyable.
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