Sunday 3 May 2015

Things I haven't Done

Maybe I should change the name of this blog, I haven't been abroad since we returned from Japan, NZ and America last December!   Of course I continue to write about Britain, and we are off to Spain soon but it's for a family wedding near Malaga. So perhaps that doesn't count. :)

I enjoyed visiting Malaga three years ago. I've just realised I hardly wrote anything about it and posted only a very few of the pictures I took there.  Well, then, here are two more. The hotel had a bath where the water changed colour and I have to admit I loved it.

But - I  promise, there will be more and better pictures of Malaga soon!




















Another thing I haven't done  this year is walked in a bluebell wood. We try to do it every year, but just not managed it.  Still, we went to Hampstead Heath last weekend and spotted some bluebells although nothing like the carpets of flowers you see in bluebell woods. These were in the grounds of the English Heritage property, Kenwood House.


There is always something lovely to see on the Heath.  Here's wisteria on Kenwood House's walls....


 and the rhododendrons in full bloom in the garden...



not to mention this fantastic tree which I had never noticed before. 


We walked back home up a street of marvellous houses, mostly about 200 years old.  Several of them had red and yellow VOTE LABOUR posters in their windows. The idea of paying Labour's "mansion tax" doesn't bother them, obviously

  
One thing I can't do is get away from the election. Another thing I haven't done is decided who gets my vote.  I am so, so uninspired by all the main parties. 

54 comments:

  1. Oh bluebells ... If I could I'd post the smell of West Woods in May!

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    1. Such a wonderful and characteristic scent, isn't it? Not sweet but it says "early May"

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  2. Ah Hampstead socialists! Just what the working class require!

    The tree is interesting. Certainly someone has had a go at doctoring that.
    Whoever built those houses had a good architect, they are worth looking at.
    Next time when you see such a poster, knock on the door and ask if it is a council house they bought under Thatcher.

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    1. Exactly! but I do find Hampstead socialists encouraging because they stand up for better values than the increasing numbers of mafia who are flocking in to wealthy areas these days and making them no go areas. As for council house selloffs, don't get me started. What is going to be done about the housing situation in London? Almost enough to make me vote for Russell Brand. Oops, I wasn't going to talk about politics. Time for a cup of tea.

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    2. Forget Russell Brand, he is one of them, drink tea instead, much better!

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  3. Lovely post. I read your blog as a travel blog for your excellent writing and photographs, but also because when I do...I am traveling.
    Happy Travels!

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    1. Thank you for that nice comment. One of the best things about blogs is that they are like being invited into other corners of the world for a few minutes.

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  4. An impressive tree.

    Greetings,
    Filip

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  5. We are globally a community of haves and have-nots and it is beginning to be more evident and more frightening.

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  6. I am open to political rants of all persuasions as little comes of them except we feel better. Now, your lovely walk through the lush country is stunning.

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    1. Hm, not sure about the feeling better bit Joanne. :) Still maybe when the election is over...

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  7. Lovely photos, Jenny. I am a sucker for wisteria -- we see very little of it in our part of the country. And oh, that wood! I think I would like Hampstead Heath very much!

    I get so tired of politics yet feel I an['t complain if I don't vote. I would tend to vote Labour (or in our neck of the woods, Democratic) for the reasons you mentioned. But it all gets complicated and wrapped up in rhetoric. I'm always glad when elections pass. Have fun in Malaga!

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    1. So right Jeanie. Most of the people I know are totally bewildered. I think this has taken a lot of us by surprise - the whole system must have been rotting away from the inside for ages.

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  8. That tree really tickles the imagination, doesn't it. Makes me think of Treebeard in the Lord of the Rings. And the rest of this post kind of fitted my mood too. This whole weekend seems to have been full of things not done...!

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  9. That tree is a God Tree. Nature is always good for our soul. Politics, on the other hand, tend to destroy souls. Just my opinion.

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    1. And you are quite right! Ilike to just look at ones like this. There is so much to see.

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  10. We were happy to miss most of the election rhetoric whilst in India, but I haven't walked in a bluebell wood either this year. It is something that I always do, but it has been so chilly.

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  11. That is why I rarely listen to the news--LOL! I vote but wonder if it makes any difference because there seems to be less and less difference seen no matter who one votes for. Seems to me corporations really run everything.
    Beautiful, beautiful pics!! Have a great week doing whatever you need and want to do. ;)

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  12. First of all, I envy your upcoming trip to Spain and will look forward to hearing about it. I've never seen a bathtub with changing-color water. Very intriguing! I like all of the rural photos, especially that unusual tree.

    As for politics, I've never voted in my entire life and have no regrets. American politics went down the toilet decades ago......(maybe longer)....

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  13. I like the bath that changes colour, very cool.

    Just please don't vote for Russell Brand! Let's just say the tories will not be getting my vote.

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  14. Oh My Goodness... the tourist in me is screaming... I love all the walking the woods photos. You live in a most beautiful place. I have always wanted to walk in a field of Bluebells.
    Lovely.

    cheers, parsnip

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  15. The Hampstead Heath photos are breathtakingly lovely! One thing about the internet: it never used to occur to me that spring was more advanced at lower latitudes than mine. Now that I can see photos of other parts of the northern hemisphere, I get very impatient at how far behind Toronto is. (We have very few leaves and flowers at the moment. Most of the trees and shrubs are just starting to open their buds.)

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  16. The bath water usually changes colour when I get into it! ;)

    Wonderful photos, Jenny. That old tree is magnificent! It could inspire many stories!

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  17. Love the picture of that tree. It would make a great illustration.

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  18. I love all your lush spring pictures! I miss wisteria - used to see it all the time when we lived in South Carolina. The scent of it was just intoxicating! I think it's too hot here in Florida - I haven't seen any around here.

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  19. Turn the radio off, banish the telly until after the election, and go walk where there are flowers. Much better for the blood pressure.

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  20. Hi Jenny,

    Superbly captured, as per usual. That tree is magical and I think it started talking to me. Bluebells, ah , tis that time.

    Remember, Jenny, "we are all in this together!" Oops, sorry about that.

    Gary :)

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  21. Lovely photos. Enjoy the wedding and thanks for the link to your book.

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  22. Jenny, I love the photo of the lane scattered with blossom petals. I would love to meander done the road. Have a wonderful week.

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  23. Here in Germany, we watch your elections closely. For the overall idea of Europe and cooperation with Germany, Miliband would be "our" candidate. But we'll have to wait and see.
    Can you believe I have never walked in a bluebell wood in all the years I have regularly been coming to England? It has always been either to early or too late in the year for that. One day, though...!
    The water changing colour in your Malaga hotel room would have made me worried - if it really had been the water and not just a light in the bath tub ;-)

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  24. Bottling up ranting leads to raving, which is not good.

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    1. Haha! that is a great comment. And so true!

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  25. What a lovely selection of photos, Jenny. A bath that changes colour - what fun! The tree is quite magical, and bluebells so pretty. December wasn't that long ago - after all, you travelled quite a lot last year. Spain will be great - look forward to your account of your travels.

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  26. Brilliant photographs ... I love that tree, and I would love to try bathing in waster that changes colour. Hope you enjoy your next trip to Malaga. As for the election.... we can't bear to watch television lately because of the cross-fighting between candidates and unnecessary over-excitement of reporters. Thank goodness the bluebells are out - they are so soothing to look at.

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  27. I love that gnarled old tree. I wonder how it got like that?

    If I were still in London, I would vote Labour to get rid of this dreadful elitist Tory government. But my heart is with the Greens. I hope Caroline Lucas gets back in, she's a real inspiration.

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    1. I don't know much about Caroline Lucas, I must find out!

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  28. Bluebell woods take me back to my childhood. I don't think I've ever been in a bluebell wood (at bluebell time) since then. Enjoy Malaga. Thanks to you it's a place that gives me pleasure every day and every time I walk into my hall from my living room. (How's that for a cryptic comment?).

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    1. Ah, not cryptic to me Graham! It makes me pleased when I think about it though :)

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  29. Well, you know Jenny, my hubby and I were just talking about how we'd love to have a bath in the next place we live. For years we've just had a shower and, those photos of the one you experienced with changing water colour would do just nicely lol!!
    Thank you for that beautiful walk - such a gorgeous spot.
    A good idea, turning off the radio. I sometimes do that to the news on tv - politicians eh!
    Cheers now, and lovely to catch up once more :D)

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  30. Oh I do love walking in bluebell woods and I’d also settle for just a random clump if a carpet of them could not be found. We too are off to a wedding in Spain this Summer, Anglo-Spanish but I’ve no dea what to wear. Any tips gratefully received.

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  31. Politics make me rant too and I'm afraid we are in for a long spell of that subject being in the news. Sometimes life gets so busy and our list of joyful things to do gets shoved to the bottom of the pile. Glad you got to see some bluebells even if you didn't make it to the bluebell woods.

    Darla

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  32. I'm also suffering from a dearth of bluebell carpets this year. I'm sure they are there but I haven't been able to get to them. I do remember a walk at Osterley many years ago where the highlight was the carpet of bluebells. At the moment our front is carpeted with 'pink snow' as the wind takes the cherry blossom.

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  33. I honestly don't think about the need yo change the title of your blog. You travelled and going to travel. I believe that few posts are not enough to cover all things you discocer and learned from recent travels.

    Those flowers are lovely and the tree, wow - kind of special.

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  34. Hello, Jenny! I think you’ve fulfilled to your blog name. It is not “An English Overseas Travel Writer”. You filled this blog with so many travels both domestic (including Herefordshire in your last post, or even to your neighborhood) and international. Bluebells spreading at the foot of trees in the woods is the one I long for to see in person. The wisteria and rhododendron blooming along the slightly curving lane are picture-perfect. I’m thinking of Wisteria post, but wait a while as I have many plans to do. My babysitting duty will start in the middle of May. Look forward to seeing Malaga post.

    Yoko

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  35. Hi, Jenny!
    I love your blog name as I love to read your posts. The pictures of Kenwood House garden are wonderful, lovely rhododendrons petals on the path.

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  36. What a joy to look at those beautiful, spring photos of the English countrside!I have been to Malaga twenty years ago but I still keep very special memories of this beautiful city.I also remember having attended an open air wedding...
    Have fun!
    Olympia

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  37. Some of my wife's family comes from Malaga so we've always wanted to visit it. If you're fed p with the election, stay away from my blog! :-) Although I tried to put a humourous spin on my latest post. :-)

    Greetings from London.

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  38. I went on a hike last spring to see the bluebells in the Smokies. Beautiful little flowers.

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  39. The flowers are beautiful at this time of the year. It's good to take a break from politics and the commentaries which will continue now we have an outcome after yesterday's elections. I'm sure you're looking forward to the family wedding in Malaga.

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  40. I was able to go on a Bluebell Walk in Sussex only once, in May of 2010. I loved it so much, that is the photo that I have of myself on the side of my blog!
    It was magical to see all those bluebells, I will never forget it.

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    1. Yes, it is almost like being in fairyland isn't it!

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  41. I'm wondering how you are feeling after the election results.

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    1. I think that will be covered in my next post!

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  42. And now it’s all over and I feel hollowed out with disappointment. I hate living in a country where being mean is a virtue for some.

    Why do you need to go anywhere else when you have the heath on your doorstep. Oh, I do miss it and all the wonderful people walking there. I used to go at azalea time and soak in the garden scents by Kenwood House.

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