




Top photo by Lucian of Adrienne Photography, edited by me.
Living in a small and charming town in England particularly when there's plenty of sunshine feels a little like having a staycation. It reminds me of the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria as well as the quaint villages in Provence that I'd explored years ago. It's a town where nearly everyone knows everyone. With a population of 99% white Caucasian, an Asian family that hailed from New Zealand stood out like a sore thumb, particularly when the 3 of us have very different accents and strange (to them, not me) colloquialism. (I strongly believe that pudding is a type of dessert and a cooked lunch is still called a lunch, not dinner. So there!).

In case you haven't noticed, this is the Extraordinary and Ectopic letter E standing in the middle of an ancient castle hall. Apparently, it's an Exciting project by the Hampshire County Council. My friend, Tara asked if I could photograph it for the HCC social media. Never have I seen so many sane women twittering about so excitedly about an ordinary looking letter. For a moment there, I thought I was being punk'd by Ashton Kutcher on MTV.
Dear Tara, I love you to bits but I won't be going to the Contemporary Art talk with you in this lifetime. Let's put it this way, how is it that Tracey Emin's dirty unmade bed be considered art??!




Anyways...... lately, the heat has rendered my brain useless so I took the opportunity to hang out with friends at various cafes (it's hard work but someone's gotta do it), packing our dinner and having it at the park (my kind of picnic), lazing indolently on any comfortable surfaces (inertia is a form of exercise) and catching up on my reading, exploring the markets and eating tons of quiche, salad and fruit.
We're still filming......the naive and gullible me thought it was going to be a simple project. I'm excited to see the finished product so hopefully, we could release the video by the mid to end summer.
What a life! I can't wait to see the video!
ReplyDeleteSoon! I can't wait till it's completely finished.
DeleteYou take such beautiful photographs.
ReplyDeleteI would love to move to a town like that.
Tabitha, you'll have to come and visit me.
DeleteAlmost everything looks more attractive in this weather. I am missing the slowly decreasing light nights already.
ReplyDeleteIs that iced tea in the jar? I have been making 'sun' tea by putting a tea bag in a jar, or two if it's a big one, leaving in the sun for a bit, and then refrigerating. Add lemon and ice to make it cold.
oh really? I haven't noticed that but sun rise is ridiculously early. pffffft. It's actually coca cola.
DeleteThat lighting is simply exquisite in the shot with the "e". You lament about the same things we did when we moved to England for a few months - pudding should only be one type of dessert!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Chic 'n Cheap Living
You're absolutely right about pudding :P I think I'm going to be pelted with eggs if I keep this up :P
DeleteSeems like you're definitely enjoying your summer Marlene. The photos are so pretty especially the one of you and Lil L. Super sweet!
ReplyDeletexTheresa
ahhh the top picture is the cutest!! and mmmm the picnic, so good, everything looks so appetising xx
ReplyDeleteThat picture of you and Lil L is too cute! It's so nice to see pictures of mother/daughter time. So glad you are enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lindsay - that's a lovely photo of the two of you. You'd never catch my Ben with his nose in a book ... unless he wanted something.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo's. Such an adorable shot of you and Little L!
ReplyDeleteYou always have the best pictures! I really love your look in that first picture! Such a lovely picture of you and your daughter!
ReplyDeletelove these pictures!
ReplyDelete