first signs of autumn

There is not much stitching going on at the moment. DH has been putting a new kitchen in, and as I am quite often asked to "measure this, or hand me that or hold this", I have given up on creative time of my own, for now...

Autumn is here, children have gone back to school, but the last week of school holiday we took grandchildren for a morning out to Stourhead, the usual walk around the lake, not so exiting at the moment, still waiting for autumn colour,

although there are some hints here and there.

We took a longer route back to the car park, up past the house, through the wall gardens, where the NT staff grow, among other things, plants for the shop, including scented leaves pelargoniums.

There are some lovely hydrangeas around too.

Few other interesting pictures from our walk, which could be an inspiration for an embroidery perhaps. 

Few days later DH and I drove back to Stourhead Estate again , this time to have our usual walk through the forest surrounding the house and gardens.

Here are definite signs of autumn and mushroom season, some edible, some not.

And the king of them all, the Cep.

This is a good sign for the mushroom picking season.

In the garden we harvested our first plums,

from a young tree planted only a year ago.

Enjoy your week!

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot.co.uk 2015

It is Carnival time!

At this time of year, when the evenings are getting longer, something quite magical is happening in our part of the world - it is the time for Carnivals.
The history of  West Country Carnivals goes back to 1605, the Gunpowder Plot. It started in Bridgewater, with an effigy of  Guy Fawkes being carried through the streets. The lights and illumination did not happen until the late 19th and the start of the 20th century, with the introduction of electric light.
The purpose of the the Carnival Parades is to raise money for local charities. Various groups and clubs, with the help of private donations and sponsorships by local businesses, plan and build their themed floats during the year, each of them also pulling their own generator to power the lights.



Shepton Mallet Carnival did not start until 1963 - 4, with the aim of raising funds for a community hall. There are various carnival circuits, the one our town is on, runs thought out November, visiting towns in our region.



Last Wednesday, as a part of  Somerset Carnival season , we were treated to a fantastic spectacle of lights, sound, and movement, lasting nearly 2 hours.

I made a video of the best floats, unfortunately I could not upload it here, so below are just some clips from it. Please make sure you turn the sound on, although it is not very good (only taken with my small pocket camera), but it will you an idea.

©pleasureinstitching.blogspot. co uk. 2014