Part of the Poppy display previously at the Tower of London, being reassembled in Yorkshire Sculpture Park, near Wakefield, and open from early September to January.
Archive for September, 2015
Our trip north to Coimbra in Portugal meant that apart from looking into that ancient capital, we could stop off at a few places to and from it. I’ve already shared my experiences of the roman capital, Conimbriga, which we toured on our way back to Lisbon. But we also had time to visit the equally interesting town of Tomar, further south in the area of the Beiras.
After finding our way through the crowded streets to a convenient car park, we made the ascent to the ancient Convento Cristo- one more World Heritage Site, closely associated with the Knights Templar (of crusade fame, or is it infamy?) as well as the Jesuits who also made this place their HQ a few hundred years later. This was an impressive place, rugged and without much greenery apart from an impressive box parterre in one of the cloisters. Outside, its massive castle-like hulk looms over the town.
After our visit we headed back down for an afternoon tea and cake (as usual) and watched children chasing pigeons in the town square. We had a few minutes to spare before we needed to leave so we hunted down what the guide book described as a very interesting Synagogue. It turned out to be a delightful find- and also free to enter!
We were greeted by a young, chatty lady who was delighted to speak to us in English about this medieval place- the oldest in Portugal. She spoke of horrific tales of persecution her forbears suffered here- including two jews burned alive a few hundred years ago. She herself and an older volunteer also shared more recent tales of having to keep their religion secret; once more for fear of persecution. But today the synagogue is one of the area’s most attractive places to visit, all run on good will, donations and loans, including an impressive piece of religious furniture from London. They were keen for us to sign their visitors book and we could see that many more people, of many different nationalities, had visited that day.
They were obviously proud of their heritage and we were privileged to share it with them.
“Dear Sir,
I haven’t got a computer, but I was told about Facebook and Twitter and am trying to make friends outside Facebook and Twitter while applying the same principles.
Every day, I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel, what I have done the night before and what I will do for the rest of the day. I give them pictures of my wife, my daughter, my dog and me gardening and on holiday, spending time by the pool.
I also listen to their conversations, tell them I ‘like’ them and give them my opinion on every subject that interests me…whether it interests them or not.
And it works. I already have four people following me; two police officers, a social worker and a psychiatrist.”
Peter White,
Holbrook,
Derbyshire
Originally published in Readers’ letters, ‘The Oldie’, August 2015
Picture by Barry Simmons
‘Sow Lettuce, Spinach – plant primroses, violets & such fibrous rootes.’
John Evelyn 1686 (published 1932)
Old School Gardener
We visited this wonderful, historic abbey on the way north to Coimbra. It was built by one of Portugals’ earliest Kings as a gift in return for victory in a battle- hence the name, which literally means ‘Battle’. Several of Portugals kings are buried here, including Henry ‘the Navigator’.
Old School Gardener
Fun tools on display at Corpusty Mill Garden, Norfolk- or are they cunning, personally crafted designs?!
Old School Gardener
Well, as it’s been some time since I did a trawl through the Facebook site ‘1001 Pallets’, I thought I’d have a look and, yes there are a few new ideas using pallets or other recycled materials in garden projects. I hope that you enjoy them!
Fishy Adirondack Lounger
Garden coffee table
Patio set
Garden lights
Garden fence and planters
Planter, like the colour!
Garden games store
Garden wash stand
Colourful bench
Compost bin
Wheelbarrow planter
Grand pavilion
Coats and shoes here please…
Upcycled surfboards make a novel gate!
Seaside summer house
Wall planter
Festival bar
Double lounger
Planting feature
Cosy corner
Pallet flower box- love the smooth, stained and varnished finish of this!
Old School Garden 