two friends

Last week after walking to Alison Uttley's birthplace near Cromford, my sister and I walked along the canal towards the old mill buildings and turning left, joined the road towards Cromford's market place. The first right before the market place takes you to Scarthin Books of Cromford, we plodded up the gentle hill and entered the familiar shop. 

It is a joy to browse this shop full of new and pre-loved books. In the Art Room we discovered a pile of postcards and photographs and leafing through I found the first image, then deeper in the pile the second photograph turned up. At first I thought it was of the same woman but my sister noted the faces were different, and I searched again for the first image and placed them together. 

Two friends, posed outside between a window and doorway. You take my photo and I'll take yours. What was happening on this day? What plans did they have, what did they speak of? I'm intrigued by the informal poses and what appears to be finger knitting in the first image. Looking at the stone around the doorway it looks local, but who knows. There is nothing written on the back of either photograph, so my imagination can create their story. 

I placed them together and returned them to the pile, feeling strongly that I didn't want them separated. When we left the shop my sister handed me the photographs, having bought them secretly for the princely sum of £1. How thoughtful and kind.

margaret stirland

On the weekend my sister and I moved to Derbyshire we went for homity pie at Scarthin Books of Cromford. It is a special treat to dine on thoughtful vegan food while surrounded by books! After our lunch we wondered around the book filled rooms and I discovered Feathered Playmates at Home on display in a windowsill and couldn't resist picking it up. As you can see from the photograph this book was awarded to Margaret Stirland in 1936 by the City Of Nottingham Education Committee as 4th prize for 3 hyacinths grown in a pot. 

I loved the title of the book, that it was for 4th place, that Margaret had grown hyacinths and that it appeared to have been kept for her lifetime. At 82 years old the book is in good condition, the stories interesting and illustration charming. I'll treasure this Margaret!

birthday

It was mum's birthday on the 13th October, she would have been 83. I took a trip to London with a packet of Snakes-head fritillary bulbs from my sister and bought a cyclamen on East Finchley high road to plant on her grave. Our previous plantings seem happy enough, the grave was bright with Bellis daisies and primrose.  

It was a beautiful morning and I could have spent the day in the cemetery. Its a fascinating place. Happy birthday Mum.