Saturday 16 August 2014

The sweet smell of fresh air in the countryside

Hello, to my bloggerettes. Thank you all very much for the comments on yesterdays post, you are so kind. I agree that the picture should be exhibited somewhere, though that is easier said than done. I checked out the Ropewalk website, an arts centre near the Humber Bridge, and their application criteria is quite complex. Also there is a two year waiting list. I imagine most reputable galleries will have a similar selection process. Open exhibitions allow one off's to apply, but these usually only happen once a year. I'll have to make more pieces, then approach galleries with a collection of my work. I'm off to see Uncle tomorrow, to ask his opinion on framing it. An excuse for a day out.
So what did I do today? I fancied a walk but it looked like it might rain, and I couldn't find anywhere I wanted to go on the maps. I decided to walk the 5.25 miles into town, have a look round the 20 21 Arts Centre, read the magazines and newspapers in the library, and choose some books, and if I felt like it, walk back. I found six books which were a bit bulky to put in the rucksack so I got the bus back home. 
Most of the walk is quite pleasant, until you get to the industrial estates, then the built up areas on the outskirts of the town. This footpath was diverted about a year ago, it used to go diagonally across the field, now it goes in a straight line from the road to the edge of a wood. The field used to be left rough, now it has a crop, it's used to grow turf, as most of the fields around here are. The landowner is Mr Sheffield, the Prime Ministers father in law, he is not seen very often in these parts. 
The path now goes through the wood, whereas before it went around the edge.

Here is the diversion marked on a poster nailed to a fence.

This is what they use to water the turf when it hasn't rained.


There are underground water pipes all along this track, the machines come along, connect up, and then they are towed to the middle of the field.

I heard the buzz of a tractor and the wonderful smell of cut grass. That's one hell of a lawn he has got to mow there.

The tractor has got extra wide smooth tyres so it treads lightly and doesn't churn it up.

That field is done, so the driver folds up his cutting arms, and goes across the track in front of me into the next field. I love watching anything to do with machinery. I would love to have a play with that. 
There's acres of turf all around here, a smooth as a babies bottom, and very lush.

Hay a bit further on, and I passed a field of spuds as well. The bales are waiting to be collected, and the spuds are waiting to be dug up.

Getting towards town now, passing the industrial estate. The pond is looking like a nature reserve now. It's very popular with dog walkers.

Now I'm in town. This rough patch used to be a multistory car park, till they flattened it. Now there are a lot of wild flowers on it. Much more pleasant to look at. Every town should have a wild flower meadow.
Here are the books I picked up from the library. Going to settle down on the sofa and have a look through them in a bit. Ooooh, exciting, a great way to spend a Saturday night.

My dinner tonight was potatoes, courgettes, and runner beans from the garden. Mangetout peas and egg noodles from Tesco with a yellow sticker. The bits of shredded carrot you see was part of a mixed salad which I ate most of yesterday. I put them in the steamer with the rest of the veg to soften them up a bit. Very nice it was too, I scoffed the lot  :o)

That's about it folks. Heidi cat is still out so I'll go and find her, then I'll get my nose in those books. Have a nice Sunday.
Toodle pip

19 comments:

  1. Great photos!
    How much fun you must have had to see all yesterday's comments! Everyone loved your work. You deserved it. JanF

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  2. Your picture deserves the perfect frame. The farmer has one hell of a lawnmower to do his huge lawn! Enjoy your books...they look an interesting selection...but will you be able to sleep?!

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  3. Turf farms are called sod farms here.I nearly died laughing the first time I saw a 'Sod for sale' sign.
    Jane x

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  4. I loved your textile piece Ilona, very artistic and all the more impressive, since it's made from all recycled materials.
    Yes I agree, a lovely night in, is a pile of craft books and the radio on.

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  5. Talking of exhibitions I read in our Newcastle Chronicle newspaper (online version) that a renowned award winning l commercial photogropher from is opening an exhibition of his images whilst driving through the dangerous Nevada deserts in America
    Tim wallace from Durham caught a glimpse of a sparkle of light of some glass. It turned out to be a Nevada desert mystery. The rarely seen town of Darwin whos residents deserted it in the 60s. Leaving cars in the street milk in the fridge and clothes in the closets. Its in the middle of the desert 96% heat. Nobody knows why the people left and they all left at once. Its like a time capsule. Unsettling all the mechanicle clocks stopped at 4.20! A US military truck is there with a bullet hole through the windscreen. The exhibition is on for six weeks in Newcastle I cant wait to take a look. Facinating

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  6. Thanks for showing the machinery! I find it fascinating a fact I usually blame on having 2 sons but truthfully it's me!

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  7. Ilona ur picture is very beautiful as is your description of it, what a creative lady you are.
    AussieCheryl : )

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  8. Why not have your own gallery online? I have real life gallery exhibits, a solo every year or so, but I also put images of my work on my art blog, and occasionally sell from there, too. Just a thought. But do be aware that artists sell very very few of their works! fun when it happens, though. The great advantage of textile art is that it's easy to ship because it's not breakable, always a consideration.

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  9. I always love seeing what you've eaten!

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  10. I am the same age as you Ilona and I couldn't manage a 5 mile walk. You look so fit! Keep it up. By the way I recognised the tall flats in town. Passed by them many times on the Hull train.

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  11. I enjoyed the journey! Loved the photos!

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  12. I love those turf fields, they look like enormous cricket fields.
    The machine that cuts and lifts the turf is interesting to watch if you like that kind of thing. It cuts it into 1 square yard rolls 1ft x9ft, there is a pallet at the back of the machine and someone stood on the back to stack the rolls.
    I used to collect turf from Pocklington and take it to golf clubs where it was usually handballed off. Golf course building was all the rage in the 1980's so we were quite busy with it.
    Dave

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  13. I agree you definitely could sell your work.

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  14. Ilona, Does your Monday crafty get together not fancy putting an exhibition on somewhere, say a church hall or village hall etc and advertise it in main town papers, charge a small entrance fee for a local charity and maybe some sales of work will be got. Shame to hide all that good talent of yours and the other ladies away. , just an idea, enjoy your time with Uncle.
    Danneke

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    1. We did show some of our work, in the church in June. If I hadn't pushed them though, I doubt they would have bothered.

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  15. I'm with the last comment. Why not get together with a few crafty friends and organise an exhibition, maybe to raise funds for a charity. Publicise it on here and I'll be along - I'm only at Caistor!

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  16. Hi Ilona, Haven't posted in awhile but I wanted to tell you what a beautiful work of art you created. It's absolutely gorgeous. There has got to be a way for you to show that art so everyone can admire it. I'm glad I could see it. You're very talented.

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    1. Thank you K, I wondered where you have got to. Welcome back.

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