Lisa as a ship’s figurehead
Visit Cate at Show My Face for more Six word Saturdays.
Isn’t life strange sometimes? Last Sunday I was in Nottingham, in the wonderful company of my daughter, Lisa, and her role-playing friends. I was attending a book launch for “Steampunk Apothecary”, an enchanting collection of jewellery and fantastical tales. Emilly Ladybird (otherwise known as Jema Hewitt, and the chief bridesmaid at my daughter’s wedding, if you remember that far back) describes how to make these beautifully curvy pieces.
Blood red ruby earrings- Jema demonstrates how to make them
Or how about these curvaceous mermaids?
The beautifully curved balcony in the Malt Cross Cafe
We were upstairs in the uniquely beautiful Malt Cross Cafe, a grade 2 listed building. Emilly Ladybird was our gracious hostess, and naturally, there was cake!
Lisa, Emilly Ladybird, Mr. Woppit and Claire
Mr. Woppit and cake
Lisa was keeping cool most elegantly
And posing, when requested, with her husband, Leo
Imagine my surprise to learn, during the conversation, that this coming Sunday my hometown is to host its first ever Steampunk event! Lynne and Richard Hardy, designers of the game “Cogs, Cakes and Swordsticks” will be appearing on board HMS Trincomalee in Hartlepool marina. “Come and say hello” they said.
Sure enough, on my return home I found “Tiffin on the Trinc- a Steampunk convivial”, advertised locally.
Tiffin on board the Trinc poster
What’s a girl to do? It’s Father’s day so I’ll be cooking lunch first. For more details of Jema’s fabulous work, and last Sunday’s fun, take a look at An extraordinary, but delicious, affair. Tomorrow? It won’t be the same without my gorgeous girl.
Got your six words ready for Saturday? With thanks to Cate at Show My Face. And I really can’t resist a “two for one” approach this week. I’m submitting this to the Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge : Curves
After all, what’s a corset without curves?
Where might I linger this week? I’ll be getting myself talked about! I believe I promised you some English windows. Now, how to present them?
The glass-panelled arched ceiling of Malt Cross Cafe in Nottingham
You know I spent the weekend in Nottingham? The above was the venue for the book launch of “Steampunk Apothecary”. If you want to see some of the antics, have a look at An extraordinary, but delicious, affair.
The Malt Cross Cafe is an historic grade 2 listed building and we were fortunate to have the use of the upper gallery. Below, there’s a bar which sells delicious savouries.
Nottingham isn’t short on interesting venues, and windows.
Don’t you love the light through this window in Nottingham’s exquisite Newstead Abbey?
The previous weekend I was in Newcastle-on-Tyne and found myself very taken with these windows. I think the building is currently being used just for office space, but at least it’s still there in all its glory.
England’s towns and cities have some of the loveliest windows you’ll ever see.
Did you stroll through my galleries? We really must stop meeting like this. It’s getting to be a habit.
So, what do you think? Can England take on Poland and Portugal in the windows challenge? Thanks Dawn for providing me with a little more fun this rain-soaked English day.
Don’t forget to check out the other Lingering Windows entries, and maybe participate?
A figurehead- courtesy of Martin Soulstealer
Some of you may remember my daughter from her vivid and beautiful wedding in February. The photo above shows her in a slightly different light. (I really love the luminous moon effect)
This weekend I was invited to a book launch in Nottingham for “Steampunk Apothecary”, by Jema Hewitt. The above is an illustration from the book.
Jema, allias Emilly Ladybird, is a hugely talented costume and jewellery designer who loves Steampunk. Step by step she guides you through the mechanics of making some of her creations. Delightful little stories are accompanied by jewel-coloured illustrations. You don’t even have to be interested in Steampunk to admire this beautiful book. (though it helps!)
The fairy wing tiara
An enthusiastic role player in the Steampunk world, Jema has used many of her friends to give an authentic feel to the book. I was looking forward to meeting a few of them at the book launch.
Lisa advised me that I should wear clothing appropriate to a Steampunk afternoon tea. (but admitted that a pretty blouse and skirt would be fine) Phew! She added that she would be wearing her blonde wig, as that is how she appears in the book. The result was quite amazing. She was particularly proud of the fascinator. There is actual tea inside the cup, but it won’t spill! Lisa made the entire outfit, of course. I was scarcely off the train and we were in Hopkinson’s Vintage store, purchasing a tiny antique teaspoon to sit on the saucer.
My domestic goddess in her kitchen- don’t you love the outfit?
She’d spent the previous evening writing cards to accompany the cakes which would be an essential element of the event. Remember the wedding cake? Well, Jema had made five fabulous new cakes. The flavours :- Rose and raspberry Dolly cake; Blood red beetroot and chocolate cake; Vanilla rainbow Fairy cake; The Kraken’s courgette and lime cake, and The Libraries Brandy and Ginger cake (my favourite!)
At this point you’re going to want to see the evidence, aren’t you, but it did start to disappear very rapidly.
Let them eat cake. They demand it! With Lisa’s pretty cards.
They were just as colourful inside, but I was too busy eating
After a while I went off to make friends and take some photos. The official photographer of the book, (and of Lisa’s wedding), Martin Soulstealer, was busy setting up some shots. Rather alarmingly, Lisa was balanced on a chair, poised over the balcony, above Jema’s husband Nick, recreating the scene from the book. I had to try for a quick shot, nowhere near Martin’s level of artistry.
Here are just a few of the “supporting cast”.
There will be more tales to tell. Did you see Mr. Woppit cavorting on the table? He is adorable! Just one more illustration from the book? You could be tempted.
Something for the gents- delicious tiepins!
So, that’s a Steampunk book launch. Do look out for Jema’s extraordinary book. It’s a work of art. In September there’s a new book coming, dedicated to cakes and sweets. I’ve had a sneak preview, but I musn’t give any secrets away! Here is the link if you want to purchase, or just have a look around Jema’s work. http://steampunkjewellery.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-books-pre-order-offer.html
See you soon.
This weekend was epic for me. I always love my pre-Christmas visit to my daughter in Nottingham, but this year we did something very special. We visited Byron’s ancestral home, Newstead Abbey, decked out in all its Christmas finery.
The gates thrown wide in welcome
The presence of the poet, scholar and freedom fighter, not to mention lover, looms large in this beautiful historic house. Certainly he was “a bit of a character” and the library is full of texts and tributes to his many escapades. He lived at Newstead Abbey between 1808 and 1814, but debt finally forced him to sell. Since then it has been variously renovated and restored by its owners.
The gatehouse
The pretty pink Pronto bus, en route from Nottingham’s Victoria Centre Bus Station to Mansfield, deposits you right by the entrance. The charming gatekeepers lodge is just a foretaste of what is to come, as the cheery attendant in the ticket booth is quick to point out. First though, quite a long walk through the thickly forested grounds. You can turn off the main drive to follow a winding woodland walk through the trees. Children would delight in the hide and seek potential of this, though I was concentrating on not upending on the leaves. In Spring the rhododendrons and camellias must sing with colour.
Approaching the lake
Just as you begin to tire you see ahead the drive’s ending, and soon an enormous lake. Ducks and geese squabble about, while a disdainful peacock awaits your admiration. On your left, proudly erect, the magnificent Abbey.
West Front of the Abbey
The West Front dates back to 1274, and is the original façade of the old priory church. Also intact are the lovely medieval cloisters. A more romantic setting would be hard to find. No wonder it inspired Byron’s poetry.
The stairwell’s beautiful floral display
Step through the heavy door and your eyes are drawn to a grand flight of stairs. Heraldic painting enlivens the ceiling. If, like me, you’ve arrived on a Christmas opening day, you’ll be lured upwards by the sound of fine voices. A costumed young lady and gent perform everything from carols to swing, their obvious enjoyment bringing a smile to my face. The wood-panelled Great Hall is very grand indeed.
Our entertainment in the Great Hall
Reluctantly I move on, the voices following. A dazzling sequence of rooms present themselves. The handiwork of the college students who have festooned the Abbey with gilded flora and foliage is a beautiful addition to this festive season. Opulent and exquisite furnishings, Byron’s very own bed, each treasure follows the next. My favourite, the Japanese room, has stunning cranes gliding across the walls.
Grand Salon with gilded hydrangea heads in a stunning arrangement
Fabulous table top
Grand Salon, grand furnishings!
A little genteel reading and writing?
The rocking horse
My favourite, the Japanese Room
Cranes adorning the wood-panelled walls
In the Gothic Revival Library a poet and storyteller invites you to linger. The cabinets are filled to the brim with Byron’s astounding past.
Gothic Revival Library and the dazzling chandelier
Craft in the Library
Finally there waits the most romantic of cloisters, and a peak into the chapel. Between duties, Santa is more than happy to chat, adding his own snippets of information to your knowledge. A quick turn in the bracing air of the cloisters garden and your visit is almost complete.
Lisa meets Santa- just a little blurred. Must be the sherry?
The chapel’s stained glass windows
Inside the chapel
Cloister gardens
Naturally there is a shop full of temptation- chutneys, sweets, toys and all things Byron. Better still, around the corner the café waits. I was ready for my smoked bacon and brie Panini. My daughter chose the soup, mightily packed with mushrooms and chives, before indulging her sweet tooth with organic carrot cake. I resisted the tiny mince pies and a glass of sherry as we still had far to go. Bookings were being taken for Christmas Afternoon Tea, which sounded superb for £15, but any day of the week Traditional Afternoon Tea can be had for just £10.
Toys in the shop
One last floral display
300 acres of park and gardens are available for exploration, but the sun was low in the sky and I settled for a quick look through the waterfall. The grounds are open year round, 9am till dusk, and on Sundays, house tours are available April to September. For further details and special events www.mynottingham.gov.uk/newsteadabbey Two highly detailed videos will show you round the house if you can’t get there in person.
Lisa- not blurred!
Through the waterfall
“Mad, bad and dangerous to know” he may well have been, but I truly enjoyed my visit to Byron’s former home.
restlessjo 
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