Saturday 14 January 2017

Walk out to winter

Last Saturday we had this winter's first batch of snow. It wasn't much exactly, but frost had turned the thin layer of snow into ice, as Mr. S. found out when he made an attempt at shovelling the stuff from our pavement.

By morning, snow had been replaced by drizzle which instantly froze, making the roads even more slippery than they already were.



Even Phoebe, who used to love playing in the snow when she was younger, wasn't particularly keen and watched the strange white substance from a safe distance.



I only ventured outside to take a couple of photographs, and then busied myself with some long overdue sewing projects and a bit of ironing. Yes, even a Polyester Princess has to iron from time to time, though preferably not too often.

I was wearing a 1940s style polyester/wool blend dress, bought at a shop called Vintage Styling, which sadly stopped trading last year, and added a fake fur capelet for additional warmth.


I also wore a pair of fur-trimmed "granny" slippers to keep my feet warm and cosy!

After this uneventful Saturday, we were raring to go out on Sunday. Thaw had set in overnight, and most of the snow on the streets had gone, leaving clumps of black-smudged ice in its wake.

It wasn't nearly as cold as the day before, so I wore a psychedelic print shift dress in brown, orange and green, with a green charity shopped cardi on top. I know it looks bluish in the photos, but it's definitely green. Or is it?


As we were flea market bound, I opted for a comfortable pair of flat heeled brown boots.

So soon after the holidays, we didn't expect much of this flea market and indeed, there were many empty gaps where stalls should have been. Even the otherwise faithful "brooch lady" seemed to have given it a miss.



Nevertheless, I did find a couple of brooches on other stalls.

This art deco-style insulated coffee pot came home with us as well. It is made in Holland and marked "Benraad". The coffee pot itself has some crazing but is in otherwise perfect condition and it fits inside a chrome, felt-lined outer shell.



It was only early afternoon by then, and we were our way back home, driving along a road between two parks, when we suddenly had a "Stop the Car" moment.








A low mist had settled over the landscape, and was hovering between the trees.

We got out of the car and, despite the fact that we were not wearing the most suitable of shoes, decided to go for a walk.











This park is called "Den Brandt", and its romantic castle, originally built in 1790, was renovated in the 1870s in late classical style.


The statue in the castle's French garden is by German sculptor Walter Schott. It is called the "Three Graces", or - a name I much prefer - the "Dancing Nymphs".


They have been dancing their rapturous dance since 1910 and on this dreamlike Sunday, they seemed to be floating in strands of mist, with crystal droplets of ice growing from their fingers and chins.


In the grounds beyond, the carpet of snow combined with the unsettling mist provided an eerie backdrop to our winter walk.


We kept to the grass as it was a hazard walking on the cobbled pathways, where treacherous patches of ice were lying in wait to trip us up.


In spite of the slippery circumstances, I tried out some silly poses in the firm believe that practice will eventually make perfect.

If we'd had our walking boots on, we could have wandered for hours, as there were photo opportunities with every step we took.


Finally we shuffled back to our car and drove home, leaving behind the ghostly monochrome winter world.



26 comments:

  1. I love your silly poses! Isn't mist and fog the most gorgeous thing to photograph, it makes everything look so dream like, so unreal, you've taken some lovely photos there. I absolutely adore your misty walkabout outfit, all coffee and cream, such a pale contrast to your usual colourful outfits but just as gorgeous! xxx

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    1. I'm glad the silly poses are appreciated ;-) It actually felt unreal walking through that misty park. It's a pity we didn't have our walking boots with us ... xxx

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  2. How atmospheric! I love that spooky winter mist that descends over everything and silences it. No wonder you had to stop - I would have too. That butterfly brooch is interesting, is it made of an early plastic?? x

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    1. Indeed, I believe the butterfly brooch is made of some kind of early plastic. It was love at first sight ... xxx

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  3. Beautifully atmospheric pictures!

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  4. The mist brings an ethereal beauty to the park and castle and despite the dancing nymphs not being dressed for such freezing weather, they look to be having a great time. I love the checked coat and beret combo, they look fabulous on you.xx

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    1. The nymphs looked like they didn't care one bit about the freezing weather ;-) That coat is a favourite, but sadly it's starting to disintegrate a bit ... xxx

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  5. The Graces look cold! Someone should bring them cardigans.

    That capelet is beautiful-I've never seen such a beautiful piece of faux fur (it looks quite real).

    I love the coffee pot, though I would have no idea how to use it. Sigh, I grew up on instant coffee.

    Thank you for braving the weather for those photos-they're so dramatic.

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    1. Now, cardigans, that's an idea! The capelet was a very lucky find at a flea market many years ago. No instant coffee for us, Goody, we always make our coffee the old fashioned way, and even grind the coffee beans ... xxx

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  6. Wow - love the colours in your dress! Fabulous.

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  7. thank you for the gorgeous romantic pics from that park!!
    love the 3 nymphs! so art deco/expressionistic!
    your furry capelet is to die for! imagine it over a ballgown! sigh***
    sorry that there was not much luck at the market. maybe because the vintage gods looked at us at the time - post is coming soon :-)
    huge hugs! xxxxxx

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    1. Unfortunately I don't own a ballgown, but yes, it would definitely look fabulous! You're right about the vintage gods looking your way at the time, I've just read your post! xxx

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  8. Oh Ann. Oh my, I am so in love with this place, the house, the statues, the mist. If there's one thing I love, it's mist and fog, I find it terribly romantic xxx

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    1. Thanks Melanie. I found it very romantic too, which is why I insisted in going for that walk. I couldn't stop making photos, and had a hard time choosing which ones I'd use ... xxx

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  9. Very atmospheric photos and I love that statue, its so beautiful. What a great backdrop to take some photos.

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    1. Thank you! I guess we were in the right place at the right time ... xxx

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  10. such evocative photos, I like to see some wintery landscapes (from my warm home!) and those are really amazing!, the mist, the statues, the park! everything looks mysterious!
    And I'm in love with your brooches! and that cute coffee pot!
    Really lovely outfits too!
    besos

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    1. Thanks Monica! I mostly like seeing wintery landscapes from the warmth of my home too. In this case, we were passing the park and when we saw the mist, we just had to stop and make photos. xxx

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    1. Thanks Kate. It really is a favourite piece, which I found at a flea market years ago. xxx

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  12. That snow and mist looks jolly spooky. Beautiful, but eerie.

    Ironing is such a chore! I hate it. I was secretly pleased when a dress that always needs ironing got ripped recently so it could go in the recycling!

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    1. It felt very, very eerie walking there, especially as the mist kept shifting. My non-ironing is legendary! xxx

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  13. Oh my goodness, that place is SOOOOOO picturesque! You can imagine all the stories set there!!!! Your brooches look gorgeous even from different vendors from usual!!!xx

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    1. It is picturesque at all times, but the mist really added something mysterious, which indeed could spark quite a few stories ... xxx

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