Traves Tangents

Egyptian Galleries - Ashmolean

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

After meaning to for ages, I took myself off to the revamped Egyptian Galleries at the Ashmolean.

I'm so lucky to have a world class museum just across the road from the office. I guess this little scribe is a model of one of my Egyptian predecessors. :-)

As you'd expect, there's lots of very impressive stuff, but you know me, I'm far more interested in odd little bits and pieces.I was taken with this nose...(remember Cleopatra's nose in Asterix?)...

...this lion (or is it the Cheshire Cat? The teeth are very similar.)...

...this roaring hippo...

....a supercilious crocodile god...

...a mad looking pony...

...fabulous shadows...

...a rather benign vulture...

...and some camels (thankfully not singing)...

Make sure you pop down if you're in Oxford.

La Luna Revisited Again

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:36:00 +0000

What is it about the moon? She is both mysterious, yet familiar.

Kindling...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:14:00 +0000

My husband gave me a Kindle for my 40th birthday. As I anticipated it's made not having anything to read when I'm travelling, a thing of the past. It's changed my reading habits in two ways that I hadn't anticipated i) I'm reading lots of 'classics' (because they're often free to download) and ii) I'm reading a daily paper again.

When I was a student I was a complete news junkie, I'd read at least two or three broadsheets a day. Over the years that dwindled down to the occasional Sunday paper, and latterly not even that. I did read various papers online, but the screen format didn't work for me somehow. I'd graze a bit, but never read the whole paper.

For the last year I've been reading 'The Independent' on my journey into work, and find myself interested in politics once more. Moreover starting to think about how I can become involved. Not in party politics, but in social justice. How can I help my community?

Absolutely batty (I hooted with laughter)!

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

In a world where, as my Ma says, there aren't many of us normal people left, I am incredibly blessed to have so may friends on the same wavelength.

When I was in the States last year, visiting the Price Sisters, I admired a cup sleeve Annie was using, so much better than the cardboard one. Virginia ordered me one for Christmas with an owl on it, as I like owls. So far so good...

...but there was another one in the parcel. That looks a little strange you may be thinking...pointy ears...cord...cross....

...a bible on the end of his wing...?!?

Oooh look it's a monk bat!

Yes, I have my very own vampire monk cup sleeve (OK he's a Franciscan not a Dominican, but why be churlish?). Has to be one of the best Christmas presents EVER! I couldn't be happier :-). Can't wait to wrap him round a coffee (or chai latte)...

Robin's aka Evenlode DIY

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:39:00 +0000

The window display messages in Robin's shop always gladden my heart.

Jaffé & Neale Bookshop & Café - Chipping Norton

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 17:35:00 +0000

The kitchen is coming on apace, but yesterday I badly needed to get away from the noise, dust and Plant Rock (although I've been surprised by how many lyrics to classic rock songs I know).

At the suggestion of Jackie, the landlady from the Queen's head we headed up to Chipping Norton, to Jaffé & Neale and wonderful independent bookshop. As well as books, it sells tea & coffee, cakes, cards and tat (of a superior kind). Lucy shopping heaven basically.

All that, and a fantastic Oxfam second hand bookshop. I'll be going to Chipping Norton again, despite the danger of bumping into Jeremy Clarkson, David Cameron et al.

For Virginia...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 14:57:00 +0000

The post-boxes in Morocco are the boring French yellow ones. Adam took this pic of a post office in Marrakech for the collection, as it's a bit more exciting :-).

Fresh Air by the Fishponds

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:13:00 +0000

Last night I had that telltale tickle in my throat, and I woke up this morning with a VILE cold. Although we now have lovely fire, I decided to go for walk this afternoon, to brush away from of the cobwebs. I had a wander round one of Eynsham's treasures - the Abbey Fishponds.

Eynsham had an abbey until naughty old Henry VIII fell for Anne Boleyn, and the church's money. The Anglican church, St. Leonard's (on the right), and the Roman Catholic church, St. Peter's (on the left), are both on the site.

I was a bit late for the autumn colour...

...but there was still plenty to see.

I was also able to enjoy one of my favourite of life's small pleasures - kicking through piles of fallen leaves.

Mmmm...cake...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Those of you who know my portly personage well are aware that I'm partial to a bit of cake.

I was spoilt for choice yesterday. fr Robert & fr. Haavar Simon were ordained to the diaconate, and fr Lawrence became Fr Lawrence. So they was plenty of cake to be had. The one above was made by Genevieve, one of Blackfriars graduate students.

However, the cake of cakes, was made by fr Richard Conrad.

Although it did make me wonder about the social niceties of eating the figures. I was tempted to cut the bishop's head off...but that's probably not the done thing. Trouble is the figures don't last for ever.

We kept our wedding cake hippos for a few years, but they went the way of all flesh (or marzipan at any rate)!

Exeter Cathedral - Guardian Angel

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:40:00 +0000

There are some awful representations of angels about, but this one is incredibly beautiful and tender. The perfect note to finish my holiday photos on methinks.

Dorset 2011 - A Few Things That Caught My Eye

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Dorset really is lovely. As well as the countryside, here are a few other things that I enjoyed looking at.

A little stained glass window...

...some mulberries (which were delicious)...

...an adolescent seagull...

...a tandem mountain bike (one for Abigail & Paul?)...

...and an elderly Paddington.

With all the fish 'n' chips that are eaten, I bet these lorries run day and night (I recommend 'Herbie's Dino Bar', on the seafront in Lyme. Fish sourced from Lyme Bay and cooked to order).

Now is this a CAD monkey? Or a gentleman who's well, a bit of a rake (but would you advertise?).

A fisherman at rest.

Exeter Quayside & Canal

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:28:00 +0000

My Pa and I bullied the rest of the family down to the quayside. The quay was built to service the wool trade. This is the lovely little customs house.

This little building looks rather Dutch doesn't it?

All these little lockups are now chichi shops, except for a rather good coffee place.

It's all been done rather well, with canoe hire...

...and a cute little chain ferry. The only other one I know is in Stratford-upon-Avon, the one connecting St Hilda's to Christchurch meadow is long gone.

We decided to take a boat trip up the canal.

Canal swing bridges are usually operated by someone walking along the bank. In this case a chap jumped from the boat each time.

He then swung on the the bridge itself, and jumped back into the boat. Wondering whether he'd fall in all added to the enjoyment of the trip.

Boater friends tell me that the Exeter Ship Canal is one of the oldest.

It's certainly absolutely lovely.

Here is some gratuitous male flesh for Lorna's delight & delectation.

I'd rather like a long trip down this canal. Any takers?

For Virginia...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Dearest V

I saw these in Exeter...

...and thought of you.

Exeter Cathedral

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:52:00 +0000

On a beautiful day we took a trip across the border to Exeter.

A visit to the cathedral enabled me to introduce my smallest nieces to one of my passions...

...stone carvings.

It's a perfect game to play with little ones...

...to spot all the little animals and faces.

This dragon looks rather shy...

...this one has FANTASTIC teeth...

...this dog has fleas?

Thanks to my big sis we all spotted the 'cheshire cat' - can you?

Dorset 2011 - For Marmalade Kiss

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:43:00 +0000

Spotted in Lyme Regis - a corset Juliet?

Dorset 2011 - Abbotsbury Swannery

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:19:00 +0000

On the edge of The Fleet you find Abbotsbury Swannery.

It was established by the abbey as a food source - "Oh no! Not swan again!" (I found this figure rather creepy)

And yes, there are lots of swans.

This swan is being lazy - it's not injured.

It's not all swans, there are plenty of coots and ducks about.

Anna Pavlova visited as research for her role in 'The Dying Swan'.

It must have been rather a bizarre visit.

I'd have loved to buy postcards of these pictures, but they didn't have them of course. Why do places never have postcards of what I want?

I also enjoyed the landscaping...

...however, I think Sarah and the girls liked the tractor ride best! :-)

Dorset 2011 - St Catherine's Chapel

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:33:00 +0000

On a whim we stopped in Abbotsbury (a place of pilgrimage for P J Harvey fans). While Sarah and the girls went to the Children's Farm, my Pa and I climbed up to St Catherine's chapel (this meant that I missed miniature goat racing, but you can't have it all).

[I'm not sure what the Benedictines would have thought about their tithe barn being full of marauding toddlers, but that's another story.]

The chapel was built as a pilgrin chapel in the 15th century. It's a striking nautical landmark, and ever since he first saw it from the sea he's wanted to visit it.

Sadly, the day was very hazy, so the view wasn't that great. It was lovely seeing the village nestled in the valley.

For a pilgrimage chapel, the climb isn't that steep.

It's a beautiful building...

...and it seems right that it stands alone.

The beautiful vaulting made my soul soar.

The atmosphere is wonderful...

...and I'm so glad that it's still used for services.

I realise that this will sound a bit 'up my own arse', but it was very hard to leave.

Chesil Beach and The Fleet looked beautiful in the haze - how lovely must it be on a clear day?

Dorset 2011 - Cricket St Thomas

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:09:00 +0000

One the first evening we were on holiday I lost my phone. A very nice lady found it, and we arranged to meet at Cricket St Thomas. There used to a wildlife park there, but now there are some gardens which you access through a Warner Hotel (where rich old people go to die).

I was rather taken by this little bridge.

In amongst the flowers and the butterflies, there are some sculptures.

It's rather ironic that they're of children...

...when children...

...aren't allowed to stay at Warner Hotels.

I assume that this signpost...

....and little train...

...are the relics of the wildlife park.

It's still a nice place...

...to wander around...

...and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Although it is rather eerie. A sort of waiting room for death?

The only animals to be seen...

...were these wicker sculptures.

Dorset 2011 - Whitchurch Canonicorum

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:38:00 +0000

The extended clan is just back from a week in Dorset. We stayed in the little hamlet of Whitchurch Canonicorum.

It's home to the church of St Candida and Holy Cross - The Cathedral of the Marshwood Vale.

If you ignore (for now) this very tempting footpath...

...and wander round the church, you'll find St Candida (St Wite)...

...and a number of other...

....interesting faces...

...and a priest's sundial.

The interior doesn't disappoint.

There's a magnificent pulpit...

...with fantastic steps...

...Saxon roses...

...knitted penguins...

...and a purple trilby.

The heart of the church is the shrine of St Wite, which still contains her bones.

CT RELIQE SCE W

+HIC REQUEST RELIQE SCE WITE

A Few Questions...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 13:25:00 +0000

Does this busker have the toy dog because his real dog is sleeping?

Is it my imagination or do they put the wellies on when it's about to rain?

Racoon hair extensions? Made from racoon, for racoons?

Yorkshire - it's not always like this!

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 20:08:00 +0000

On days like this...

...I could stay in the hills forever.

Nasty Biscuits

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 13:07:00 +0000

No wonder this cat food bran is cheaper than the one I usually buy. All that cardboard!

The Plough at Kelmscott

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:03:00 +0000

The plough at Kelmscott is a very nice pub, with good beer and food...

...a cute dog, Thistle (there was another dog called Widget apparently, but we didn't she him/her)...but best of all...

...a 2nd hand BOOKSHOP!!!

For Virginia...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:27:00 +0000

I think the lovely Virginia commented on this post-box when we visited Lechlade a few years ago. It's interesting that it's still painted red. Disused boxes are usually painted black...

...like this rather nice old stamp machine.

Piggy Stickers

noreply@blogger.com (Miss T) — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 17:24:00 +0000

Glad to see that Christopher appreciates the stickers I send him :-)