My Weekends

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My Weekends

Wimbledon weekend 2575

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How will we ever go on after the excitement of Wimbledon is over !! Oh well not long till the Olympics and more London fever.

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The views of London in the full flight of summer are always soooo enticing.

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The uniforms by Ralph Lauren so very stylish. Unlike other years however, the players didn’t provide a lot of excitement in the fashion stakes.

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Blue skies at last after all that rain … what a wet and soggy summer England is having.  Thank goodness for the magical closing of the roof.  I do love scanning the crowd for famous faces and the fashion … well Kate and Pippa mainly.

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Strawberrries and cream are synonymous with Wimbledon.  This little selection of Wimbledon food equally as suitable for those watching the final at home.

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Serena Williams is now Wimbledon champion for the 5th time and what a fabulous match. My money is on Federer this evening but the Men’s final is only a matter of hours away !!!

By the time you are reading this … the 2012 Men’s Singles winner will have his name on the trophy.

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My Weekends

French and country …. 3 more days !!! 1966

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Hopewood Country House is open again for the Annual Stocktake Sale for French and Country and Suzie Anderson Home.  It was gorgeous to visit at the weekend and also to know that it is on for 3 more days.  So much to see and take in.  Suzie is very clever with her styling … every room delicious to look at … all so tempting.  There were none of the tell tale signs of a sale when I was looking.

The highlands are looking a picture … Suzie’s setting is particularly beautiful  … it is well worth popping in for a viewing or down from Sydney for the morning … and you won’t be disappointed in the delightful morning tea being served.
My Weekends

Amangalla ….. gracious elegance 2118

Another wet weekend indoors …. the bonus being the time it has allowed me to peruse my inbox in slightly more detail than normal.  In the process I was delighted to find that the latest Habitus Living online magazine had arrived. It’s images of Sri Lanka’s Amangalla I thought worth sharing.

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I quickly became lost in the world of Old Ceylon and the grandeur of this retreat … so very Aman.

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Dating back to the 1600’s these grand old structures have had a number of incarnations …. the New Orient Hotel, an icon in Galle and the hub for passengers from the P&O and Dutch East India Company vessels. In another life …. the Dutch governor’s residence and army barracks.

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The current Amangalla retreat captures it all …. large timber shutters on windows, wide timber floor boards, huge chandeliers hanging from the 6 metre ceilings, cord pull lights and the most fabulous and interesting solid timber furniture !!  They certainly have captured an era …. so pared back and yet so elegant. My favourite pieces …. the gorgeous wicker recliners !!

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They could so easily have thrown masses of colour into the interior …. very brave not to …. the vision being ‘to allow the centuries-seasoned building’s soul to shine’.

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I have always had a fascination with Sri Lanka …. just to explore the different regions…. the beaches, the tea plantations …. and maybe even a visit to Amangalla.
My Weekends

Stone houses and a weekend in the southern highlands 1942

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Yes another wet weekend in the highlands but it doesn’t seem to have deterred the holiday makers and visitors ….. people everywhere …. impossible to even get a seat in a cafe.

Out of town, however, it is all very atmospheric …. misty rain and wintry landscape …. this is why people come to the highlands !!!

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Driving through the countryside the many dry stone walls that this area is known for, are now more visible …. and seem to go on for miles.

I have always been drawn to houses made of stone …. and there are quite a few in the highlands. They just seem to nestle into the landscape.

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On the inside, exposed stone works best with a soft neutral palette of creams, caramel and greys.

The use of timber whether it be natural, limed or painted ….. compliments or can contrast with the stone beautifully.

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Apart from its beautiful texture, exposed stone has a warmth that brings an interior to life. If a whole house made of stone isn’t possible …. maybe a stone fireplace and hearth is !!

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images: at home
My Weekends

Autumn in the southern highlands all but over 1955

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I was horrified to return to the beautiful Southern Highlands this weekend to find every jewel coloured leaf had been stripped from the trees in the space of a week. Gale force winds during the week had wreaked havoc !!

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There is not one leaf remaining on our gorgeous trees. We have the perfect autumn garden and usually have the pleasure of weeks on end of autumn colour….not after the week we have just had….freezing conditions and wind.

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 I do have some wonderful photos which I have longingly looked back over this weekend….so will share some I have taken over the last couple of weeks !!! I guess the only thing left to do is start raking, I will only have to do it once.
My Weekends

Autumn starts slowly in the southern highlands 2042

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I am going to drip feed photos of our autumn as it seems to be much slower to progress this year. While there are pockets of wonderful autumn colour that seems in its peak…..other areas are barely starting.  Our maples….the showcase of our garden….have barely started to turn.  Luckily we already have so much other autumn colour to admire….particularly our beautiful smoke bush.

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It seems such a shame to have inclement weather at this time of year because you really do want to be out in the garden admiring it all.  I love finding a sunny spot to set up morning tea….the glow of the sun shining through the yellow and red leaves…..it reminds me of stained glass windows.

The house always looks amazing when you can pick branches of colourful autumn leaves to put in jugs.  Colourful rosehips look equally as good.

With the nip in the air….although already some days are quite cold!!!…..work in the garden seems such a joy.  Any excuse to be out with all the autumn leaves….even if it means hours of endless raking.  It is exhilarating and fabulous exercise I tell myself year after year.

I am never alone out there though…..the families of kookaburras perched close by…..are always on the lookout for worms as you work your way through the leaves raking….raking.  They are never afraid of you….and I find them quite a comfort.

On a less strenuous note, autumn heralds the arrival of our beautiful sasanqua camellias ….. the bushes so old they are enormous. I have bowls of them all through the house ……they don’t last long but that doesn’t worry me a bit …..there is an endless supply down in the garden.
My Weekends

London revisited one sunday afternoon 4333

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Sitting here in the Southern Highlands on a gloomy Sunday afternoon…..skies grey and misty rain falling….I am transported back to London.  I am always reminded of London in this sort of weather…. for obvious reasons and I absolutely adore it!!!! Very strange indeed for a Queenslander.

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I thought I would reminisce by flicking through my London photos…..an experience that would be so much more enjoyable had I printed off actual photos and put them in an album.  Nevertheless, I searched through My Pictures file on the computer and found myself lost in the memories of my home away from home.  Any number of hours have elapsed and here I am still indulging both myself and you with my favourite buildings…..the ones that just capture a moment or a mood.

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Rows of elegant white terraces, Georgian townhouses (or Annabel’s nightclub for those in the know….in the beautiful Berkeley Square) or Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair for afternoon tea.

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I have always loved the Michelin Building in South Kensington …. not just for the building itself but for the activity that surrounds it…Walton Street, Draycott and Sloane Avenues, the V&A and on it goes……what I would give to be there right now !!

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There is always something extremely comforting about the London Pub …  particularly after a day shopping.

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images: mydesignfile

Or just head for Somerset House on the Strand and spend a lazy Sunday afternoon exploring the Impressionist collection at the Courtauld Gallery …. that’s what I would be doing if I were there right now !!
My Weekends

A touch of autumn in the highlands 2238

 

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I am not sure if it is psychological or not but as soon as those clocks get put back ….. the days seem to close in all too quickly and autumn is here !!! In fact autumn on a cool day in the highlands can seem awfully wintery.  The leaves have turned and already falling….the memory of all that raking comes flooding back.

We do have a good while yet to admire the colour on most of our trees.  I am not sure where the falling leaves are actually coming from except the Silver Birch which is always the first….and the messiest due to its huge height.  I seem to remember our garden being at its most colourful by Mothers Day. We often have lunch outdoors so that we can enjoy the garden and fruits of our labour before the chillier days arrive.

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I have to say I have been a little disappointed by our Virginia Creeper which I planted for its autumn colour.  We have watched it rampantly climb up our north facing wall for two seasons…. looking forward to the turning of the leaves.  Of the two vines, one has turned vibrant red in the space of a week and is now dropping leaves profusely !!! Way too quickly for us to have time to admire it….. the second vine quite lacklustre in the colour stakes.  Just as well we have the Japanese Maples to look forward to.

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Rather than post photos of autumn gardens just yet…. I thought I would get you in the moods for autumn with the thought of snuggly throw rugs, checking your supply of firewood for those cooler autumn evenings, quaint cosy cottages for weekends away and anything in those gorgeous warm earthy tones!!!

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Images: dave coote/pale and interesting
My Weekends

Wet weekends and barbour jackets 2165

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Yes another wet weekend in the Southern Highlands…..in fact most places are wet.  I was reminded just how beautiful the gardens at Milton Park Country House Hotel are when I went on a long walk…..in the rain……all very atmospheric. The trees are some of the oldest of their species in Australia…..beech and avenues of oak.

The view to the east is absolutely spectacular….they are actually higher than Mt Gibralter….hence the misty conditions!!

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Having dealt with the Hunter wellington boots I am now moving on to the Barbour jacket.  Thank you Annabel for the reminder about the Liberty lined Barbours.  Have struggled to find an image of these and the one shown below is not a particularly good example of the prints that are available or the jacket style.

Everybody in the Southern Highlands should own one of these jackets…essential for our climate here.  This year the entire east coast of Australia should treat themselves.

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