Sea salt bought in a shop near the water front market in Lisbon. The shop had baskets of baccalau, dried and salted cod. The pieces are wide and long and cardboard stiff. I thought I spotted a bag of dry crackers for dipping in an on board fish stew. My interest started with the bookContinue reading “Sea salt, Portugese”
Category Archives: Everyday
Warmth in a cold snap
Britain is experiencing a cold snap and consequently there is talk of how to keep warm. This has made me look at old ways to keep out the cold. .This is a detail of a tapestry which hung in a hall in Medieval England. It was a barrier against the cold drafts which crept inContinue reading “Warmth in a cold snap”
Rose water lotion
Today’s experiment, rose water and almond lotion, hand and body cream. Note: More research needed as the oil is not mixing well with the lotion. 250 ml of Rose Water (or 1 cup) 100 ml of Almond Oil A few ounces of beeswax A teaspoon of borax Melt the beeswax in a bain marie. (AContinue reading “Rose water lotion”
Royal blue
The flat saturated blue colour of Diana’s suit was a memorable element of the royal engagement photographs. It was a colour that was strong enough to become emblematic. This blue had acquired a new value, it was the blue associated with Diana. And so it became fashionable. Kate Middleton has chosen a similar saturated deepContinue reading “Royal blue”
Celia Birtwell
Designs by Celia Birtwell. Circus, contrast, black, red, white, graphic, paint, Dada, 1940s, performance, drama, big sleeves.
Thresher
The thresher or thrasher machine uses its drums and shakers to separate grains from the stalks and the husks. In other words, it separates the wheat from the chaff. Threshing was done by hand for thousands of years before the machine was invented. The wheat sheaves were laid on the ground and beaten with flails. TheContinue reading “Thresher”
Vintage festival
The rain comes down on festival goers at Vintage Goodwood. The three day event celebrated fashions, music and design of the 1940s through to the 1980s. Camping and light mud clashed with sculpted hair dos, evening frocks, suits and stillettos. Looking around, I thought the 1940s Land Girl style was a clever choice of outfitContinue reading “Vintage festival”
Beach fashion
Bath Spa
Bottled thermal spring water, not for drinking, a souvenir of Bath Spa.
Epsom Salts
We found the well at the centre of a radiating development of low houses. It was enclosed in a newly designed monument and surrounded by lavender. This was the source of the famous Epsom Spa. Henry Wicker, a villager, was grazing his cows on the common during the very dry summer of 1618. He sawContinue reading “Epsom Salts”
Coffee Table TV 