Honestly, here we are in the driest state in the driest continent where temperatures can reach upwards of 45 deg and it's only eleven days into winter and we haven't gone above 6 degs. here at Prospect Hill for 2 days. Last night it was literally freezing and now at 3.20pm it is 6.6 ( I lied- it's just above 6 degs). But the sky is blue and the word 'bracing' doesn't begin to describe what it feels like out walking the dogs.
So I sat down in the office, after thawing out in front of the wood fire in the lounge, and started having my usual dreamtime moment looking up English cottages on the net (in particular Miss Marple's in St Mary Mead - and please don't tell me none of it's real!) when I came upon a likeminded soul who is striving for Miss Marple's garden and also loves clothes and hairstyles from that era. What a relief. I thought I was the only one and now I can reassure my daughters that it's quite normal for people to have their little fantasies even if they don't involve Travis Fimmel (Vikings) or Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy).
It was so nice to read about someone else who just loves the gardens, cottages and dress style of a past age and I wondered how many people out there feel the same. I think part of it comes from seeing, rightly or wrongly, a gentler time where people were more courteous and life seemed to run at a slower pace. No mobiles ringing constantly, or the 'ping' of emails on the computer and to receive a letter from a friend or loved one was something to be relished over a cup of tea. Now even with all the modern conveniences we have at hand, we are incredibly time poor. The stress to get the computer going or even to try and make a phone call to a government department can be overwhelming. But as soon as you see the little thatched cottage with it's twist of smoke rising out of the chimney and the garden packed with so many different colours and species of flowers it seems to calm the beast. I always thought when we moved to the country life would take on the calm serenity of St Mary Mead, (minus the constant murders of course) but alas it was not to be and our life especially seems to be hurtling forward at a frightening pace.
I think that at some stage I shall have to stamp my feet and make a stand against modern technology and all that goes with it just to save my sanity. Then perhaps I'll be able to concentrate on picking out my best 'pinny' and baking some comfort food and then relaxing with a lovely cup of tea in my best china, with not a mobile or computer in sight!
