Autumn at Kingston Lacy

🍂 At Kingston Lacy This Autumn I felt the need to go out and get some photos of the colours of autumn. Kingston Lacy was the chosen venue. Two reasons: the colours are normally spectacular, and it has a good little coffee shop. The Middle Smiths joined us with Daniel and his girlfriend Ellie, who were down from Cardiff, Wales. I know, but some people do live there. Anyway, they joined us, great seeing the boys again. Kingston Lacy did not disappoint us. Autumn is when the whole place really comes alive, swapping its summer green for a seriously beautiful mix of reds, golds, and oranges. The star of the show has to be the different Japanese Maples (called Acers), the shades of red, gold, and yellow is almost a painting. Outside of the fancy gardens, the parkland is just as beautiful. The Lime Avenue creates this tunnel of shimmering yellow leaves. We spent a good hour just taking all the colours and shades in until coffee called and we made our way to the Stables Kitchen. A little disappointed, very little to eat considering it was a sunny Saturday, they should have expected more visitors than normal.

Tanzania

My world-renowned brother, Russell Smith, has been in a spot of bother. The elections in Tanzania turned quite ugly, and the government decided to impose a curfew, 6 to 6, and this was enforced by a very grumpy army patrolling the streets. It all started when President Samia Suluhu Hassan was declared the winner of the election with 98% of the vote. The problem was that all the opposition were barred from standing or arrested.

She, the president, did get 98% of the vote, which is in itself a contradiction, as no one else was standing. Maybe they decided in advance that 98% was a good-sounding number, but who got the other 2%? Anyway, Russell had prepared for this. Living in Africa, you do tend to anticipate trouble around election times. He stocked up on food and made sure there was a good selection of wine.

He is fortunate to live in a walled compound with other like-minded people, so security is available. Like all other politicians, she blamed someone else, in this case it was the Kenyans, nothing to do with her barring or arresting all the opposition. I think they have all got weary of the whole affair, and life has hopefully gone back to normal. Stay safe, family.

I have been busy, work and new projects have got in the way of me saying hello.

Festive Season fast approaching

With the festive season almost upon us, I am looking forward to the Christmas activities that Susan organises for those close and dear.

Making Christmas cookies, making gingerbread houses, making Christmas wreaths. All have their unique attraction. Firstly, it is a time to get together and create something that lifts our spirits after the weary journey through the year to get here.

The joy is in the making. Take the Christmas cookies, for example.

It might seem like a simple afternoon get-together, but you have to mix the ingredients to make the ginger biscuits. That takes skill, one I am happy to admit I do not have. Susan throws herself into making 3 or 4 dozen, in a frenzy of excitement and concentration, and a production line covers every available surface in the kitchen. Then we have the gingerbread house walls and roof to make. If everything isn’t cut to a specific size, the house won’t pass inspection. All made in advance. 

This is a recipe sent to me by one of my blog readers, she was complaining about the absence of a new blog, for ginger bread biscuit’s or the walls and roofs of the Gingerbread house:350g plain flour, 1tsp bicarbonate of soda, 2tsp ground ginger, 1tsp ground cinnamon, 125g butter, 175g light soft brown sugar, 1 medium egg, lightly beaten and 4tbsp golden syrup. Daunting to say the least.

While researching the making of gingerbread, I came across a detailed instruction video on how to make a wreath. Seemed really easy until I looked at the cost of all the items you need to make the wreath, £29.50. That is not too bad when considering going to a wreath-making class. Susan is thinking of going to a wreath-making class, £65.00, that does include tea, I think. I can write a book on this type of gathering, but I have noticed there is always someone who will take offence, we will just hope she has an enjoyable get together. Maybe I should save Susan the expense and buy one from Aldi, £9.50 already made. Job done. You might say it is not the same, but it is the same when you throw it in the bin after Christmas. I will keep you posted.

We saw a grey squirrel, part of our big five, and someone mentioned seeing a fallow deer, another of our big five. England, being a small island, our big five, mirrors the scale of our country.

Last night was another happy burger night. One of the few left with Michael and Matilda. They are emigrating to Australia. Fun times, and we wish them all the best. You probably picked up that Matilda is Australian, so it is only expected that the colder climate of England is not that appealing to someone from a warmer and sunnier country. Michael stayed in Australia for a while and loved the beaches, surfing and outdoor lifestyle. A win-win for both of them, although Susan has her reservations.

Just a final message for Michael.

I wish you everything you hope for in Australia.

I am worried?

Will it be everything you expected?

Will I see you again?

Will you be happy?

I know, you will say, "Don't worry, Dad."

I will always worry; that is the deal.

Finally on the run up to Christmas, we have bought a new growing Christmas tree for the lounge, our old one is now 2 metres high and will not fit. To be fair, it is happily flourishing in the garden and reminds us of Christmas all year round. This image below, is before Susan gets her hands on it and decorates it. That is another story we will not get into; there is the fear of being taken off to the psychiatric hospital.

Once decorated, I will include it in my Christmas blog, hopefully, this Christmas.