''Ring Out , Solstice Bells''

'Now is the solstice of the year,
Winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Join together beneath the mistletoe.
By the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.

Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.

Praise be to the distant sister sun,
Joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out.'

~ Jethro Tull

Solstice
- A stopping or standing still of the sun.

Out On The Streets In Alsace,France

Well it was December so we were sidetracked by Christmas markets, hot chestnuts, vin chaud or gluehwein and the ilk. However apart from these distractions, there was still plenty to see out on the streets of Strasbourg and Colmar for Veg Plotting's OOTS Sparkly Festive Edition.

Strasbourg is situated on the river Ill, where it flows into the Rhine on the German border.There are other waterways which cut the city up into different chunks, so it is rather challenging to find your way around. These planters which straddled the length of one bridge were in fine fettle. I am unsure whether they had been specially planted up for autumn/winter interest or whether they had been there all year round ~





There were chrysanthemum balls hanging from stylish lamp posts ~



and various planters back down at ground level ~



Himself and I pondered over various statues. This one speaks for itself ~



Here one of a series on display in the university area. I have never quite got into modern art ~



Back in the city centre one that I would have gladly taken home but we might have got odd looks going through customs ~



In close proximity to the statue this Nativity scene ~



On the last day of our holiday we made a short train journey to Colmar about 40 miles away from Strasbourg. These seasonal window boxes just opposite Colmar railway station provided a most welcome splash of colour. I am not that fond of ornamental cabbages but thought that they looked effective here ~





but walking further into town this planting did not do much for me ~



Finally still in Colmar it's winter on one side of the street yet summer on the other ~



I will be back soon with a sprinkle of festive glitter from Alsace.

The Pick Of The Bunch

V IS FOR?



VINE!

Earlier this year I was able to pick grapes from the vine on my allotment plot. Not a brilliant vintage harvest in 2009 but enough to feel that my vine is a valuable asset.

View more Vs over at ABC Wednesday!

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - December 2009

Not much to report in the way of flowers from this neck of the woods. I have been out for a good part of the day so confess to cheating and taking one or two photos at the weekend when the sun was out. Just as well as it was too dull and damp to take any this morning. The star of the show at the moment is prunus subhirtella autumnalis - the autumn flowering cherry. This seems to go in suspended animation when there very cold weather but then comes good again in the spring. I sometimes cut branches to bring inside and enjoy the dainty blossoms at close quarters. I believe that this can also be grown as a shrub and intend at some point to try striking some hardwood cuttings.

Also not pictured but in flower are jasminum nudiflorum (this has crept round the corner of the house when I have not been looking), viburnum tinus and pulmonaria rubra 'Redstart'. I have not told the virburnum that it is in for the chop early next year. There are also still one or two annuals desperately hanging on but looking sadder by the day. Meanwhile there's evidence of the forthcoming spring with hellebores already showing colour and some bulbs already coming through the ground. Hopefully the cold snap that's due to arrive this week will slow the rate of growth down.



Galanthus plicatus'Three Ships' which I posted about in November is now fully out. Hopefully this will live up to its name and will hold on until Christmas Day.

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day is kindly hosted by Carol over at May Dreams Gardens.

A Cautionary Tale

Like long ago essay deadlines Christmas shopping usually sees me living on the edge. This year, despite having all the time in the world, has been no exception. I realised last week how near on the horizon Christmas is and decided that I must be proactive. So on Friday I switched the reluctant shopper button on and headed by bus into Chester. I would like to say it was a successful mission but elementary mistakes were made. The first of these was forgetting to write a list so I fell at the first hurdle.

One or two little gifts were purchased though as well as some festive fare. The latter including a stollen has been secreted away in case himself eats it - the man is a serious serial stollen addict and I do not want to put temptation in his way. Before leaving town I wondered into that bastion of the British high street M&S to pick up one or two bits and bobs from their food department. Before I could do that I was mesmerised by the most colourful display of orchids that were 'This Week's Bargain Buy' and indeed they were at half price, all of £4.99p. Now could I resist - of course not! After what seemed like half an hour of uming and aaaahing I finally selected one and placed in my shopping trolley. By the time I left the store I was laden down and creatively or so I thought, rearranged my shopping so the orchid slid into a long bag, which already held a roll of wrapping paper. This left me with just two bags to carry - no sweat. Back onto the bus and I merrily daydreamed away the journey home. Stepping off the bus and walking along I soon felt that something was missing. I looked down and it dawned upon me that I was minus a bag - the one containing my new plant. A rather unladylike four lettered word involuntarily slipped from my lips. So I returned home to relate my loss to himself. Later after finally tracking down the phone number of the local bus depot (this required the sleuthing ability of Miss Marple) and a four hour wait before the bus finally returned there, I was delighted to hear that my bag with its contents still intact had been handed in to the driver. It was yesterday though before the two of us were reunited. The moral of this story is not to be tempted by horticultural goodies when out on the important business of Christmas shopping. Keep to the matter in hand!

Le Sapin De Noel

U IS FOR?



UNDERNEATH THE CHRISTMAS TREE!

"O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!

Not only in the summertime,
But even in winter is thy prime.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How are thy leaves so verdant!
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Much pleasure doth thou bring me!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur
zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!
Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit
Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum!
Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!"

- Christmas Carol, O Tannenbaum.


Last week we were standing underneath this mighty Christmas tree in the centre of Strasbourg, France. At some ninety feet it is the tallest Christmas tree that I have ever looked up at. Underneath its branches a little wooden village glowed out.



You will find more unique utterances on the letter U over at ABC Wednesday !

And The Winner Is .....

Thanks to all of you lovely folk who left messages on my recent post celebrating my official first year of blogging. I hope that the next year is just as much fun. My able assistant himself drew the winner from the depths of my allotment hat. 'A Bunch Of Sweet Peas' will soon be winging its way to Mr.McGregor's Daughter. I have also decided to send a couple of small runner's up prizes which will go to Easygardener and Deborah from Kilbourne Grove. Could those concerned please email me your addresses so I can do the doings. My email address is thegreentapestry@gmail.com

'It Started With A Kiss'

It started with a kiss in March 1984 and were married later the same year on 1st December. The gentle, patient and kind man that is Himself has just taken me away for a short break, to celebrate our silver wedding anniversary. We returned home yesterday evening.

Our journey started here ~



at St.Pancras Railway Station in London. Its fairy tale turrets seem worlds away from a railway station. The photo at the top of this post is of the 'The Meeting Place', the statue which graces the end of the platform area of the Eurostar terminus. It is nine metres tall and weighs five tons!

Our destination?



More of the interesting, elegant, lively and definitely most festive city of Strasbourg very soon. Now I must away for a stint of emulating a domestic goddess before I sort out the draw for 'A Bunch Of Sweet Peas'. Back soon.

Not Guilty M'Lud!

T IS FOR?



TILES AND TRIBULATIONS!

This is a tale that started off at the allotment and ended up in a court room. Have no fear - I have not spiked my fellow plot holder's perfect pumpkin with a toxic substance or purloined their potentially prize winning leeks. It happened like this ~

One summer day earlier this year as I was crouched on my haunches (favourite position of allotmenters) planting something in the ground, I heard the sound of the car pull up and espied the occupants of the plot opposite me arrive. Within a minute or so, the early morning peace and stillness was pleasantly pierced as an operatic aria sung in full throttle floated through the air. When this came to an end I jumped to my feet, clapping my hands in appreciation shouting 'Bravo!' and 'Encore!'. This was much to the mortification of my plot neighbour who thought that he had the place to himself.

It transpired that R. belongs to an operatic society and had been practising one of the songs that he was going to sing in a imminent production of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Trial By Jury'. He suggested that we might enjoy the production. He explained that it was being staged in the very courtroom in Liverpool, where W.S. Gilbert practiced as a barrister for a short spell, before he moved on to matters musical. How spooky is that ~



This thoroughly enjoyable short but sweet operetta was held at St.George's Hall, Liverpool. ~



When I went to get our tickets I was delighted to find out that we would also get a rare chance to see the famous Minton tiles which form a priceless mosaic floor of 30,000 tiles. These are usually covered to avoid wear and fade but but come out from under their wraps occasionally. The tiles were going to be on show for a couple of weeks on the same dates as 'Trial By Jury' was on. So went into town early, gazed in astonishment at the tiles and also took in an unexpected exhibition of George Harrison paraphernalia, before making our way to court. A grand day out !









Do not tarry but trip over now to ABC Wednesday for more on the letter T!

P.S. If you would like to be entered into a draw to celebrate my first official anniversary of blogging please leave a comment here by 5th December ! A short story featuring sweet peas will soon be winging its way to the winner.

Garden Bloggers Muse Day - December.

"Just as a dancer, turning and turning,
may fill the dusty light with the soft swirl
of her flying skirts, our weeping willow ---
now old and broken , creaking in the breeze ---
turns slowly, slowly in the winter sun,
sweeping the rusty roof of the barn
with the pale blue lacework of her shadow."
- Ted Kooser, Winter Morning Walks

Garden Bloggers Muse Day is hosted by Carolyn Gail over at Sweet Home and Garden Chicago, where you can discover more December muses.

P.S. If you would like to be entered into a draw to celebrate my first official anniversary of blogging please leave a comment here by 5th December ! A short story featuring sweet peas will soon be winging its way to the winner.