There are certain funny little things in my life that I regard as important but I suppose to anyone else might seem very ordinary or even mundane. For example, I always look at the cowls on the top of my neighbour Lu's Oast house as I walk back to the house from feeding the chickens to check which way the wind is blowing and it's something that I do almost everyday almost without thinking. For those of you who don't come from Kent, Oast houses were originally used to dry Hops for beer making and the cowls on top would turn in the wind and help keep the fires alight in the kilns below. There are not many working Oasts these days so alot of them have been converted to homes. It made me realise that there are a lot of little things that I do and see everyday that I get a great deal of pleasure from.
Lu and I often get together in the early evening to sample a 'cheeky little Chablis' or the latest Sauvignon Blanc on offer in the supermarket. You may know that we live in on an old converted Hop and Fruit farm, I live in the old farmhouse and Lu and her family live in the Oast. Not surprisingly there are lots of odd little passages and paths that link the buildings to one another that we all use and that are separate to the main drive and entrance. This little passage we call 'The Snickett' and I use it to pop round to Lu's in order to sample the wine of the week! There are Greengage trees all along the path and this year thankfully, they are full of fruit. It's quite near the river so I have to watch my footing on the way back especially after a glass of wine or two!!
This is one of my favourite views in the whole house. I spend a great deal of time in the kitchen and at the sink so I love to look out across the fields. It is the best place to see the changing seasons which I love and just a few days ago I watched the swallows and swifts collecting on the telegraph wires getting ready to fly south. They have flown on now and I will miss their acrobatic flying along the river collecting the bugs and flies when they are on the wing. The fields seem quite empty with them gone and I loved to see my mad springer running around trying to catch them as they swooped low around the field getting ready to fly on...
When I drink my early morning cup of tea I often look at this wreath that a girlfriend of mine made for me. It was wonderful gift given to me when she came to dinner once with a few friends. She is such a talented, arty girl that unfortunately I don't see as often as I used to. I love the colours that she has used and it looks wonderful on the beams in my kitchen.
Well dear readers, I hope you are all having a lovely September....the weather has certainly perked up, and maybe just maybe I will get my Indian Summer after all!
What a fabulous place to live! I love when old businesses etc, can be converted into homes that people will cherish and take care of! What a great history to the farmhouse you live in. Hope your autumn is lovely! We are having beautiful weather lately, and here's hoping that since you live on the same latitute as I, you will have this great weather, too! =)
Posted by: beachy | September 06, 2007 at 10:48 PM
What beautiful views you have Jane, really lovely. We do seem to be getting that Indian Summer don't we? September has been kind so far. Long may it last, I don't think I am quite ready for autumn this year!
Posted by: donna | September 06, 2007 at 11:00 PM
What a stunning house you live in! I love the pastoral view from your kitchen window, it's very romantic and beautiful to watch fields go from tiny plants to full grown crops, to crew-cut hairs at the end of the year, it's one big circle.
Have a lovely weekend!
Posted by: Tash | September 07, 2007 at 03:41 PM
Hi Jane
Love that herringbone path and the gate! And the view from your kitchen window ... and the Oasts ... and ... and ... just love it all!!
We've had a touch of the Indian summer here today! Who cares where it originated, as long as it stays!
Sue x
Posted by: Sue | September 07, 2007 at 10:31 PM
What a lovely view you have from your kitchen window & I love the curly handles too.
Posted by: Jayne | September 09, 2007 at 03:49 PM
It is the simple pleasures that are the most important. You have written a really nice post to make us think about the simple pleasures in our own lives.
Oast houses are so beautiful, I would love to live in one, they always have such charm.
Victoria x
Posted by: Victoria May Plum | September 09, 2007 at 05:20 PM
How lucky you are to live somewhere so lovely! The wreath your friend made is beautiful!
Posted by: Paula Sealey | September 10, 2007 at 10:38 AM
My husband's biggest regret is that his parents didn't buy an oast house when he was younger. They hummed and aahed about it for ages and then gave up. I love oast houses. Your house looks beautiful and the view from your kitchen window is spectacular.
Kimx
Posted by: kim | September 10, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Hi Jane
I don't have the dates to hand, but I'll find out and let you know. Glad you like the result of my shopping trips!!
Sue x
Posted by: Sue | September 10, 2007 at 06:42 PM
What a lovely posting! I like your approach to relishing the simple things around us in life.
Posted by: Junie Moon | September 12, 2007 at 05:53 PM
What a loveley view you have from
your kitchen window.
The wreats is a nice gift from your
friend.
Sorry,but my english is not so perfect,I come from german.
Have a loveley rest of the week...
Regina
Posted by: Regina | September 13, 2007 at 11:10 AM
What a wonderful view to have from your window and to be able to watch the changing seasons. How lovely too to be able to pick your own greengages, they are a delicious fruit which it quite hard to buy. Love the old gate to the snicket too.
Posted by: ohsovintage | September 13, 2007 at 02:58 PM
Hi Jane
What a beautiful post. I love the view from your kitchen window and enjoyed your description of nature and the changing seasons.
Thanks for your kind comment on my blog.
Marie x
Posted by: Wild Rose | September 15, 2007 at 01:33 AM
This just sounds so wonderful:
"Not surprisingly there are lots of odd little passages and paths that link the buildings to one another"
I'd love to see more photos of these!
Posted by: Linda | September 15, 2007 at 05:33 AM
Hi Jane,
I think you are definitely getting your Indian Summer - it has been glorious here too!
What an interesting place you live in and a wonderful view from your kitche window.
I too have little things that I see and appreciate every day - they are so important and make up the fabric of life, especially country life.
Have a glass for me with Lu!
Clare x
Posted by: Clare | September 15, 2007 at 07:53 PM
How I love greengages.
Posted by: carolyn | September 18, 2007 at 02:33 PM
Hello, Jane! It's been a while since I was here, and lately I've been unwell. So it was wonderful you stopped by my blog--thank you! And how great to come by here and see all your lovely photos and read of your daily delights...Happy Days drinking in the last of summer, and saying hello to autumn! ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | September 22, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Oast houses are such beautiful windows, you live in a beautiful part of England.
Posted by: vintage twist | September 24, 2007 at 05:20 PM
Oh my. Your kitchen window is wonderful. Wonderful!!!
Posted by: CharityGrace | September 26, 2007 at 02:59 AM