Wednesday 19 October 2011

Autumn, while it still lasts

There has been a great deal of decluttering going on in this (sometimes tearful) Land. One result of which is my new resolution to read the Complete Collection of the Original Tales 1-23 now that Beatrix Potter has been unearthed from the back of their bookcase.

This seemed a fitting thing to do given that Sunday was Apple Press Day at Ardress in Armagh. (Putting our NT membership to maximum use this year!) The ancient art of apple cultivation and use- one millenium old- celebrated in this C18th farmstead. The latest re-incarnations of the Armagh Rhymers were there, which is always good!

I first heard them when they led a torchlit procession up Navan Fort one Hallowe'en Night! It was in County Armagh, many seasons ago, that I realised that my favourite colours were blue and green.

All in all a very appropriate time to be catching up with Peter Rabbit.

We didn't quite see Mr McGregor in the orchard, but we certainly filled our boots! Indeed, the small sum we paid for our bag reaped its own harvest because...

...we even swapped some Bramleys for a pumpkin when we got to Cooking Catherine's house, which was rich with the smell of roasting chicken, squash and potatoes. Much nicer than Peter's supper of camomile tea!

16 comments:

magsmcc said...

Oh no- clicking on the link I learn that Ardress is a C17th farmhouse. Oh no! Shame I can't do any corrections now that Blogger is so truculent!

Gumbo Lily said...

I love Beatrix Potter's friends. Won't it be fun to read about them all? Lovely apple hunt and pumpkin too.

Gill - That British Woman said...

would love to visit there, looks a great place,

Gill in Canada

Left-Handed Housewife said...

What wonderful pictures of autumn! I'm a little concerned about your minotaur neighbors, though. They look dangerous. Run! Run!

I would like to read all the BP books, too, just to stare at the pictures. Sometimes I think I love pictures best.

xofrances

The dB family said...

I always wondered exactly how many Beatrix Potter books there were. She wrote quite the collection. If I had the collection, today would have been perfect for reading it -- with a cup of chamomile tea. I'm glad you had time for pumpkins and apples!

Pom Pom said...

Oh, I love BP so much.
I really think those ducks are VERY beautiful!

Lisa Richards said...

I love Beatrix P! I have a small collection of her books. My children were brought up on them and I think her beautiful illustrations are a wonderful introduction to things English for little ones.

I believe I'm next in line for The Three! I'll keep checking my mailbox! :D

The BUTT'RY and BOOK'RY said...

Oh how I LOVE Beatrix!
I just read a letter written by Tasha Tudor about visiting the home of Beatrix Potter, when she was in England with her family, and she just loved Beatrix so much too! (glad you found the books :-)
Many Blessings, Linnie

Elizabethd said...

I wonder if you have read any of the many books about BP? I know the film 'Miss Potter' was popular but there are some very interesting biographies also.

Angela said...

I love BP too! wonder where we have packed our set of books [somewhere safe in the event of future grandchildren I think]

Mise said...

Ah, you'll be busy now making charming little coats for them all.

GretchenJoanna said...

I love that the runner ducks (and at least one non-runner) came to the event.
Several BP Potter books were given to my children by my grandmother - it was the first I'd ever seen them, believe it or not! Appley-Dapply's Nursery Rhymes was memorized by a few children when they could barely talk. Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Mrs. Tittlemouse were accepted as part of the family, so I really should go visit them occasionally, shouldn't I?

Elderberry-Rob said...

How I do love Beatrix Potter's books, I have seen quite a few recently in charity shops, may start collecting. They are so simple and good aren't they. A lovely post and I love the little ducks.

Elderberry-Rob said...

How I do love Beatrix Potter's books, I have seen quite a few recently in charity shops, may start collecting. They are so simple and good aren't they. A lovely post and I love the little ducks.

Jackie McGuinness said...

Hi!! Found you by way of Gill, that British Woman's blog where you had left a comment. Your name intrigued me. If you see someone over your shoulder it's me as I started following you!!

Unknown said...

Just discovered your blog and saw that many of the books you've loved are mine too.

Look forward to reading more.

Sft x

Time stands still

 Hello! Sending you all lots of love from Northern Ireland, where nothing much changes just as everything changes, as usual. Time has stood ...