Spooked by a Stone

It's funny isn't. I often tell people to look up above the shop fronts and how they will discover hidden things - ornate guttering, statuary and crested downpipes. For quite a while, I haven't bothered to look down. Finding the portal this afternoon encouraged me to wander back with Sooty, but looking down. I am glad I did.

Sooty was snuffling around as little dogs do and then jumped to one side. I took a look and saw a stone that was oozing evil. Well, perhaps not evil, just a bit annoyed at being woken by the touch of a cold, wet nose. Sooty's, not mine!



I went back for another look and I realised it was playing a trick - being playful, even. Mr Grumpy Stone had encouraged another to move closer and now looked like a pirate wearing a tri-corn hat. Proof indeed that stones often have a sense of humour.

Have you looked up or down, lately? What have you found? Oh and be careful. Don't walk into lamp posts when you are looking elsewhere. One, it hurts and two, people laugh at you!

Portal to another Place!

A short time ago, I was escorting Sooty on her afternoon constitutional around the garden when I noticed a movement out of the corner of my eye. It came from the base of a Victorian garden urn - at least one hundre years old, maybe more.

I realised that the centre was actually the entrance to a very dark place. I put my eye close to entrance of the tunnel, but could see very little. There was just enough room to gently put my hand into it. I heard whispering noises and then felt what seemed like miniature hands clasping at my fingers. It was not unpleasant, but I didn't like to intrude. Thanking the inhabitants of the tunnel, I left them alone to get on with their lives without the 'great hand of Oz' poking into their home.

That was a couple of hours ago and now the thought of Alice comes to mind. Had I found the portal to Wonderland, I wondered? Do you have nooks and crannies in your own gardens that might be home to wondrous creatures? Please let us know!

He's Back!

Here I am again. Sorry to take so long to return to my blogs, but the rigours of travelling up to my new job in Blackpool (a 225 mile journey) on a Monday and then returning home on a Friday meant I didn't feel too much like blogging. I'll put that another way. I felt like blogging but was so tired I didn't think I would do it justice if I did. I have had quite a few enquiries to see if I had dropped off my perch - thanks to Owen and @eloh to name just two. I was touched by people's interest so 'Thank you very much, my blogging companions!'

In sorting out lots of boxes of stuff that had been accumulated over so many years, I found some real treasures and, when I get a chance, I will share some of them with you. It was like finding buried treasure - the words 'Wow!' and 'Fantastic!' came to mind often. I found lots of unremembered vintage photo albums, ephemera, postcards and much more besides. Please be patient and I'll get round to posting some of the best.