Open Books @ Honey Pot Book ‘Shop’

Hurray! The Spring has come and Honey Pot Books is going to open for the long-weekend Spring Bank Holiday weekend.
The marquee will be up, lots of space to spread out and enjoy a good read, a cup of tea or coffee if you want one AND 3,000 books to choose from!
If you are wandering along the B536 North of Crewkerne, follow the arrow signs until you see the bunting. There’s room to park and space at the side of the road as well.
Come on – you know you just can’t resist it! We’re not so far away from Montecute House NT and Barrington Court NT – so if you are on a mission to look at second hand books don’t miss out the book barn at Barrington Court.
We don’t mind sharing you!
Any money raised will be going to charity, so we don’t mind if you want to pay more than the guideline prices on the books – we know that book lovers are a generous crowd (if a fairly quiet one!)
Cheers!
(I may be in my writing ‘space’ with Sherpa-the-cat’) The kettle is just out of sight!

Firsts

‘There’s a first time for everything’ they say – well, this week saw two definite ‘firsts’ for me.

The ‘first first’ took place in Ludlow, where I joined some friends in the audience for ‘Nabucco’ which was screened at the Assembly Rooms.  I have seen the advertisements for similar opera screenings, but never got around to giving one a try.  I am now completely converted – it was absolutely incredible – wonderful, moving – even devastating at times – and I was completely transfixed throughout.

The ‘second first’ was attending a book launch – my very dear friend Kathy was celebrating the launch of the book for which she painted pictures – in collaboration with John Elinger: poet.  ‘That sweet city – Visions of Oxford’ (published by Signal Books) is a compilation of ‘walks’ – each comprising 7 sights or foci along the way.  Each one of these has its poem and its painting.  As a novel way of exploring Oxford, it could be a launch-pad for anyone with a little creativity, a strong pair of walking boots and time to stand and stare.  The book itself is a delight to the senses – holding it is a pleasurable experience even – it feels so wonderful.  It looks beautiful and its foreword is extremely informative.  Buy a copy for yourself and one to give to a friend – it’s that kind of book!

Being at the launch was such a privilege – how lucky I am to have such a talented friend and how delightful to be there, cheering on the sidelines – as proud as any parent on sports day!

There’s an old saying that ‘things come in threes’…. well, these were the first two firsts… I can’t wait for a third if these are true examples of the genre!

Sandwiches, gravel paths and robot lawn mowers

It started with a pub lunch – very nice sandwich at The Lime Kiln… then a meander down through lanes to Lytes Cary for a wander in the gardens. Very pleasant.
Then en route home, a pop in to Montacute House to wander in some more gardens and view a robot lawn mower ‘competition’. Surreal.

Analysis: sandwich prawns very tasty, Lytes Cary goldfish small, Montacute House goldfish HUGE.
Chairs in pub comfortable, didn’t sit down at Lytes Cary, bench in Montacute garden nicely placed for the sunshine.
Robots: pub nil, Lytes Cary nil, Montacute 1 in action + several ‘resting’.
Cup of tea back home – lovely.

My first trip out after being laid low with illness = very successful. Think I’ll have a snooze now… just as soon as I reach the bottom of this cup of tea!

Easter

This has been a very strange Easter. Ill-health has kept me tucked up at home for over three weeks now. I can’t recall an Easter when I have been so dislocated from the festival, observing from a distance and unable to take part.
As the sun shone through the window on Easter morning I thought of all the people heading off to church. It was a bit like being Cinderella – everyone else was off to the ball and I was left behind.
Then, from nowhere, or so it seemed, came the joyful sound of church bells. They did not exclude. They did not brag ‘here we are having all the fun and you are left outside’ – no, their message was clear – ‘rejoice with us for He is risen’
“He is risen indeed. Hallelujah” I heard myself say – no longer on the outside but warm within the Easter embrace.
So – thank you all you bell ringers – your music reaches right into the sickroom, with healing of its own.

A little help from my friend

It’s always nice to have feline company when one is painting.

An active interest in the tools of the trade is entirely understandable.

One is hardly surprised to discover that Sherpa is particularly fussy about the size and quality of each brush.

Only after the closest of inspections does she give the go-ahead.

OK?

Spoilt for choice

So, dear readers, this is the awful evidence…. tea for just two!
In the library…
without lead piping or revolver!
It was delicious and great fun….

…… although it will be some time before I get over the library decor: a wall papered in ‘book shelf’ wallpaper, whilst the real shelves held…. some carefully arranged ornaments, a few books and… a LOT of LOGS!
How about that?
Oooh – and you had the ‘before’ picture… here is the ‘after’
Just two little lonely chocolate slices and a few bits of salad remain! Mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Help! I’m disappearing in the books!

“New books and old,” I said, smiling as I regarded the pile(s). “Lovely.”
Last Saturday the car pulled up again…. “Want some more?”
And out they came!
“At least another load to come!” (in joyful tone) “Can’t stop. Byeee.”

Dear Reader(s), we aim to get a car in that there garage at this time of year…. it’s certainly becoming a challenge.
And once the Next Load of Books arrives it will require Magical Powers in order to do it!

Do you have a spell for book-shrinking?

No?

Thought not.

So come on and beat a path down here to my door and GET BUYING!

Saturday mornings 10.00 – 12.00 noon.

I’ll make you a cup of coffee and even fling in a biscuit!