A Lingering look at Windows: week 7

A hint of mystery

A hint of mystery and the exotic behind these doors

I’m sure you can’t begin to guess where I was lingering this week?  Does Preston Park Museum ring any bells?  I thought I might do the Winter Garden and the Victorian Street separately- you know, big finale!- but I didn’t want you tiring of the subject.  So we’ll just take a quick peep in the conservatory before moving swiftly on.

Orchids are beautiful, aren't they?

Orchids are beautiful, aren’t they?

There weren’t any comfy seat pads on the chairs and the doors were firmly closed, so I took the hint and kept walking.  And this was my reward!

And this was my reward!

A toy shop window to press my nose up against

So I did!

So I did!  Sorry- I know some of you don’t like Pierrots, but he was loveable.

Maybe chocolate is more your thing?

Maybe chocolate is more your thing?

Or objects d'art?

Or objects d’art?

No shortage of that!

No shortage of those!

I do know one or two of you who don't mind sweets!

I do know one or two of you who don’t mind a sweet treat!

Remember any of these?

Remember any of these?

A few of the shops don’t qualify for this post.  The blacksmith didn’t have a window, as such- just lots of tools.  I wandered into the printers and a very nice young lady was setting up the press to print some cards.  She was well bundled up against the cold, as she needed to be with the door wide open.  I couldn’t photograph her cheerful smile as it was a little dark in there.

But I did find an ironmonger, for the practical ones among you

But I did find an ironmonger, for the practical ones among you

And a photographer, for the family portaits

And a photographer, for the family portraits

This was my very favourite! Apologies for the poor quality of the photo

This was my very favourite shop!  Apologies for the terrible quality of the photo.

I know what some of you are waiting for.  I saw this sign but couldn’t find anywhere to buy an alcoholic drink, though I looked very hard.

Promises! Promises!

Promises! Promises!

So it had to be the tea rooms and the "temperance drinks"

So it had to be the tea rooms and the “temperance drinks”

But you know what I forgot to take a photo of?  The Victorian sponge sandwich on the counter. You’ll just have to take my word for it that it was very nice.  Just in case you’ve missed any of my Preston Park Museum posts, you can find them here, and here, and here.  Understatement- that’s what I’m going for!

Meanwhile I wonder what kind of windows everyone else is showcasing this week.  Find them at Dawn’s The Day After.  I believe she’s gone all romantic this week.

68 comments

  1. Lovely windows, Jo, and some great memories there. I loved the skin on Birds custard, and my mom made the prettiest blancmanges and jellies for Sunday tea, to be eaten with tinned fruit cocktail of course. 🙂 Those were the days when one could buy sweeties at threepence a quarter. *sigh*

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    1. I didn’t mind the skin on custard but never liked jelly or blancmange, Ad (always with evaporated milk and tinned fruit in our house 🙂 ) The memories in that museum! Could’ve been in my grandma’s old house.

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  7. queste vetrine sono molto speciali, un gusto abbastanza retrò, alcuni liberty molto apprezzati, sembra ci sia una gara per la bellezza ed i colori molto accesi, davero un piacevole reportage Giovanna, buona giornata

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  9. More delightful shots of what seems like an amazing treasure trove of a place to visit. I especially love the romantic vintage feel of the second photo of the conservatory….also the wall of vintage posters and signs, but the whole place looks so interesting. I wouldn’t worry about over kill as each shot feels very unique. I haven’t tired of the place yet 🙂

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    1. Thanks a lot, Seonaid! I do go a bit mad with the camera at times, 🙂 I would probably have even more shots but my battery was fading and I had to keep “resting it” to take the next shot. Just about made it 🙂

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  10. You’re right, Jo – the restoration of this place has been very successful. Lets hope it draws the crowds to enjoy this living museum. I particularly like that first shot – peering through the windows through the winter garden.

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    1. Thanks, Meredith. 🙂 The park itself is always popular in Summer because of the riverside location and boat trips. Plenty of space to run about, and the Butterfly House too. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  11. It is all so charming, Jo. I love them all, but that first photo with the stain glass peeking out to the conservatory is eye catching. I’m a sucker for wooden toys, rocking horses, puppets, etc. and the display of jars of sweets perched on top of the doilies is lovely. We just don’t see that here…doilies, I mean. Hmm…Victorian sponge sandwich???? Interesting.

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  14. I love orchids, pierrots, sweet treats and all other attractions displayed in this fun gallery and now you have me craving for the Victorian sponge sandwich!!!

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    1. What can I say, Paula? I’m so sorry! Not a crumb left 😦
      I went out earlier this evening for an un-Valentine’s Day meal with my other half (keeping ahead of the crowd 🙂 ) Just quietly sipping coffee now.

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      2. I think you should Google it or use your very vivid imagination 🙂
        I’ll give you a clue- we went to a tapas restaurant (in the marina, where it was blowing a gale, but I didn’t fall in)

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      1. I love doing that is cities I walk around but now I am on a hunt for old artist paintbrushes maybe from someone famous so I can PAINT GOOD 🙂

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  20. Some exceptional windows to linger over this week Jo, but my favourite has to be those doors into the Winter Garden! Although the sweet shop comes a close second 😀

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