What’s an Artwave?

During the last few weeks of August, our little town hosts what’s called an artwave, art crawl, or open house art.  The Burnout Queens love art and we love a good snoop in the little cottages and shops and studios in our town.  Come snoop over the walls with us.

Armed with a little Artwave map we knew exactly what our first stop would be.  We could not pass the opportunity to see inside the stone mini-mansion attached to the castle. Imagine living in an 11^th century building that has so much history. We have walked by it nearly every day and marvelled at what ‘could’ be inside.  Well darlings, this year it was opened to exhibit art, so off we went for a proper snoop.  The entrance gate alone is divine, but the home is stunningly beautiful, historic and welcoming.

Exiting onto the cobbled path, passing under the castle gate, crossing the busy little High Street, down the narrow street between buildings built in 1390 to our next stop, the chocolate shop!  Okay, we confess we didn’t buy any art pieces, but we didn’t come away empty handed either (dessert anyone?!)

Back up to the High Street and a good hike up to St. Anne’s Gallery (a proper art gallery) full of fabulous art and architecture.  All pricey, so we’re sticking with the chocolates. By the end of our first day we were happy but tired, so stopped to pick up a veggie burger at Bean + Bun (often a staple on weekends) and caught their wall art.  The artist here decided the little outside patio needed it’s own artistic touch.  Got inspired about the patio now!

Next weekend up the quiet, leafy lane to the Paddocks Studios to view art, illustrations, and pottery. We did buy a little something, but it remains top secret for a ‘Christmas’ someone!

Getting tired of walking up and down the cobble-stoned streets?  Take a quick sit, catch your breath and then off we’ll go again.

Winding back through the Paddocks, Castle precinct past the oldest pub in the town ‘The Lamb’, through Grange Gardens, arriving at the sweetest little short street for our next stop (again excited to see inside a cottage on this historic little neighbourhood).  Who could possibly make up a house name like Puddingbag Cottage, but here it is in all it’s quaint glory.  Again, we found the perfect birthday gift for our neighbour who was thrilled to receive a piece of local art.

We had a blast seeing all the artworks and especially thrilled to see so many cottages, old grocery stores-turned homes, castle homes and chocolate shops along the way.  We couldn’t share all 62 venues, but suffice to say we were happily tired and satisfied with our August artwave.

Oh, and we did get a little something for ourselves…well actually for the birds.  It will sit in a well-planted spot in the back garden.

Until September’s special cottage issue (you won’t believe the little gems we have to share with you).

Love,

“it’s good to touch, the green, green grass of home”

Welcome to Hello’s Garden special.

Gardens don’t always look like proper gardens at all.  They are little surprises waiting to be noticed in the most unexpected ways (close to one of The Burnout Queens’ motto,“expect the unexpected”).  This issue takes a look at what little gardens we’ve found (or made ourselves) and ends with the grandeur of one of London’s biggest gardens.

The Burnout Queens love a little hidden tea garden to have tea in like this one in Lewes,  or the welcoming entrance at a design shop in Alfriston.

Of course there are the big gardens we’ve visited at Hever Castle and Arundel Castle (we can always dream darling)

And there are pub gardens, ‘little creatures in the garden’ and our own indoor kitchen garden…

But the best garden for us is our back ‘office’ garden full of bees, butterflies and work companions to keep the creativity buzzing.

But the best of all gardens to enjoy regardless of where you live, has to be the historic gardens in south London, The Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. (6 minutes of dazzling bliss).  No walking required, just click and be transported!

Until next issue, keep calm, cool and collected.

Love,

“we’re having a heatwave…a tropical heatwave”

The Burnout Queens want to wish our Canadian readers a belated Happy Canada Day (July 1), our US readers a Happy 4^th (July 4), and ourselves a 9 year’s anniversary arrival day in merry olde England (July 4).

We are in the midst of a heatwave and the humidity is a challenge.  So while I wilt from the heat, I have enough energy to send you our Special Hello on Hever Castle, Kent and a surprise laugh from our real Queen at the end!

Get yourself something cool to sip and enjoy the tour.  Here we go…there’s a moat, a draw bridge (too cool to imagine), and a beautiful Tudor-style interior enjoyed by the current family in residence (yes people live here very comfortably indeed).

I’m always intrigued by the small holes in the walls and windows that create the most enchanting scenes on the other side.  Delicious little pictures to admire from within every room and hallway.

And the outside just goes on and on, and on, with gardens, ponds, the rowing lake and beyond.  There are sculptures and gates that once went somewhere but now end nowhere.

Visit complete, but not without a surprise visit from swans and their goslings.  And oh, is that another bird in the gazebo? Why yes, our own Burnout Queen, Dr T taking a moment in the garden, grass and water pond area.

We still haven’t shared all the photos we took of that visit, but I’m sure last month’s Hello and this Special give you a good idea of the history and beauty of Hever Castle.

Until next month, enjoy your summer (winter in the southern hemi).  The Burnout Queens will find something quirky to share from merry olde I’m sure.

Love,

PS:  As a special treat, why not enjoy this youtube video of the real Queen and James Bond, doing what the English do best…poking fun at themselves.  Your Majesty we love living here (we’ve even dined in the same restaurant with James Bond a few tables away).

(6 minutes and 15 seconds of fun)