| Sheffield holds special memories of flowers and pets with my blogger friend and host, Liz Bishop. We met on the wide world of blogging and found that she was a Malaysian , now a British citizen. As her guest, I enjoyed 5 days of her hospitality visiting parts of the Peak District and making new friends in Annie and John Stirling, Kathryn and Barry Newton. My dearest friendship was forged with her two canines, Syd and Axa, both from rescue homes that have found a wonderful friend and owner in Liz, whose care and attention for them speaks volumes of a heavenly friendship. Those few days of the doggies greeting a sleepy-eyed me each morning will forever be etched in my memory. How they rushed to get into my room, waggy tails like beating a souffle, is so heartening . I've never had such a wholesome and genuine greeting ever! Then, they settled down to lie by my suitcase while I lingered, still keeping my bed warm. As Liz's passion and work is flower arranging, she brought me to two ngs ( National Garden Society) Open day in Handforth and Tytherington, parts of Cheshire. We attended a flower demo in Oxton, Nottingham and witnessed 6 different styles of flower arranging by a regional arranger. With Kathryn and Barry, Liz drove us for a day out to York. It was my first to the beautiful city. And a lunch date at Betty's Cafe and restaurant , among so many teas during this 5 week holiday in the UK, this was mandatory! The days passed fleetingly and soon it was time to stay with my dear friend, Wanphen in Beccles, Suffolk. I bought some doggie treats for Syd and Axa for they lurve treats and they deserve every bit of them too! I see them on facebook and know they are well. I'll be catching up with Liz in the new year as she'll be guiding 18 ladies for a visit to our lovely country, Malaysia on a 2 week holiday. Guess what, she and her friends will be showing the Gardening Society members in Singapore and KL their artistic skill in flower arranging. So, with many thanks for a wonderful stay, we promised to keep in touch . Waiting for June 2016 to come, quick!
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| With Kathryn and Barry Newton in their garden |
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| Country road , Peak District |
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| First time holding 2 leashes. Syd and Axa are good doggies, I know they would not do a mile dash with a newbie like me! |
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| The lovely doggies are content to relax .I shall terribly miss their morning waggy tails welcome when I leave Sheffield. |
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| There's no stopping Syd and Axa as they wolf down their meal. Nothing is ever left behind - you wouldn't have known it had food in it within the last minute!! Syd wins paws down!! |
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| Gimme more, is their daily mantra! |
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| Our morning walk - Syd is usually off the leash. Axa can be a little unpredictable, so Liz keeps her close by as many other canines do their walks like them. I got to see the different breeds with their owners. Well- behaved dogs:) |
Hearing the quacking of ducks, Syd too wanted to check them out himself!
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| After each walk, Liz washes the paws of the doggies. |
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| Syd decided to make it a threesome! He's adorable and would not miss out on any memorable moments. John Stirling was the Chairman and founder of The Freshfields Donkey Village in Peak District. Was really touched he gifted me a book on the play, The Really Useful Donkey Company when he and his wife, Annie popped by to say goodbye the day before I left for Beccles. |
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| Annie Stirling welcomed Liz and I with her fabulous scones and sandwiches and tea, of course! |
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| Axa and Syd are so companionable. They do not let loneliness creep in |
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| ngs Garden Open day in Handforth, around Cheshire. The lovely clematis trails strikingly above my head. |
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| Cakes and teas to complement a visit to ngs Garden Open day. It is a real treat as volunteers happily see to our needs. |
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| The sun's out . So too are families to grab the opportunity to support ngs Garden Open day. |
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| Owner of Brooke Cottage, Barry Davy gave up teaching Science to branch into garden design. We admired his great effort. |
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| One is truly tempted with all the spread of goodies. |
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| A spacious garden and we were tempted to linger . |
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| The orchids got me thinking of the ways to weave my own magic when I get home. |
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| The bright red oblong perspex pieces added to the striking arrangement of a red themed floral arrangement. |
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| Picking the lucky raffle winners who would take home the arrangements. |
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| Liz's ad on the side of her car. Just pull it off and store it when not in use. |
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| Betty's Cafe - Restaurant |
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| With Annie Newton, York Castle |
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| York Minster , cathedral of York |
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| Delectable spread at Betty's |
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| Compact and beautifully designed garden at Handforth. Owner has utilized every imaginable space to showcase his creativity. |
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| Lovely colours |
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| With Mr Cordingley, the owner of Hathaway Cottage on ngs Garden Open day. |
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