hidden harbours

This morning I was heading back from the Vale, as my car needed a new indicator light. Note to Renault, it would really help we could change our own bulbs, having the manual say restricted access, go to garage, isn't helpful! Especially for a French make where the law says we need to have headlight bulbs in the car at all times, not much use if the car is designed so you cant do it yourself.....

Rant over.

Well there was a fantastic sky which was stunning, so I pulled over at the Half Way to capture it, and then looked down at the beach (which is one of those better for atmospheric walks than sunbathing).

And for the first time noticed this pier,

had seriously never seen it before ,

its beautiful curve providing shelter to small boats at low tide.

There are quite a few of these little low tide piers (jutting off from half way down the beach) round the island, and are perfect in the summer for small boys to jump off and go crabbing.

you do have to admire the craftsmanship and the skill, this is at low tide so you can see how difficult it must have been to build.

the strange thing is all others are marked on the Ordnance Survey map, but not this one.....

Cheapside hoard

On my way back to the airport I popped into

Museum of London

to see The Cheapside Hoard.

Its an amazing story,

 back in 1912 some workmen were demolishing a building in Cheapside, East London,

when under the basement in the earth they saw something sparkle.

 They had stumbled across a massive hoard hidden by a 17th century jeweller.

 But know one know why he hid it?

There are theories including that he was a Royalist supporter during the Civil War and had been asked to hid it so the jewels could slowly be realised to pay for the campaign.

But we do know it was buried between 1640 and 1666, as one piece had a date on it and the building it was under was built after the Great Fire of London, yet the bottom of the basement was pre that, so obviously survived the flames.

Its one of those stories you can let your imagination run wild with.

Because of the nature of the exhibition security is very tight, so no coats, bags and definitely no cameras, so all of these images are the Museums gorgeous postcards.

As they are from the Tudor period there is a lot of enamel, which I do love.

can you imagine having the patience to carve these tiny (1cm) grapes out of emeralds?

You can just picture these beautiful enamelled chains draped round and over tightly laced Elizabethan corseted bodices.

Its a stunning exhibition, and I bet you go through going 'I wish I had that or that or that'

Definitely worth seeing and its on till April 27 2014.

Lovell and Vie

Have just had a great couple of days on the mainland. Caught up with a college friend on Sunday after a horribly early start on the red eye (alarm going off at 5.45 with a hangover - not good!!!).

And after a couple off strong coffees had a great time

 Christmas shopping at the  Renegade Craft Fair in Brick Lane

Then off to Sevenoaks to catch up with my sister, and see her new shop!

Lovell and Vie (pronounced Via)

a gorgeous new lingerie shop in Hollybush Lane.

check them out on facebook

its a beautifully elegant shop

with space to wander and browse

Theres a great selection of undies including Chantelle and Freya

As well as swim wear for those lucky enough to be heading off to the sun this winter.

Ohh look at a gorgeous orchid

sent from my brother and I!

Now those are my sort of colours

And you definitely cant beat lacy scondies!

British handmade soap, perfect stocking fillers

So if you are in Sevenoaks do pop in and say hi to Kari and my sister Serena,

I know they would love to see you

numbers rather than names

Have you been up by the Cock and Bull pub and noticed the unpainted circle on the wall?



Look a bit more closely

Its actually a number 7!

And its left over from the Occupation. The Germans didn't like or couldn't pronounce our road names, so they numbered them all instead.  And as far as I am aware this is one of the few left.

So the Cock and Bull is on road number 7 not Hautville!

Those magic eyes are watching you!

Have you ever walked through town and felt some one was watching you?

Walking up to the Red Onion and Casa Lola were you aware of eyes?

Well next time look to your right.....

There you go, hes watching you! This little chap is medieval,

 but we aren't actually sure why he's there. But the guess is that when this building

was a family house,

 he protected the inhabitants from the evil eye!

Then head up to Corner Stones and Cock and Bull, but turn right towards the sea,

and there is a red house door on your right

a door with gorgeous views

and there by the number 7 are two pairs of spectacles!

more ancient evil eye protectors,

and I am sure there are more round the island, have you seen any others?

Would love to know