"With the end of February in sight, the countryside around Lulling grew greener. A mild westerly wind held sway, acronites and snowdrops adorned the cottage gardens, the chickenpox epidemic abated, and the village school had its usual quota of pupils. The three teachers rejoiced as this gentle weather allowed the children to play outside, where they ran off their high spirits and returned to the classrooms slightly more steady for work than in the bleak weeks before, which had kept them confined indoors. Little Miss Fogerty had discarded the silk scarf which had protected her neck throughout the winter, although she prudently retained her thermal underwear and some fine woollen stockings which Dorothy had given her for Christmas. Dorothy herself, despite her more amply padded figure, felt the cold, and was still ringing the changes with her tweed suits, twin sets and hand-knitted jumpers.

Miss Read, At Home in Thrush Green

Chapter 19

Osborne House

Osborne House, Queen Victoria and Albert's Holiday Home, is located on the Isle of Wight. A few years ago we had the pleasure of touring the home and grounds. It is such a lovely place, built in the style of an Italian villa and set in the midst of beautiful grounds.

Victoria and Albert bought Osborne House in 1845 as a retreat where they could leave the pressures of court life at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle and enjoy some privacy and seclusion from public life. After Albert died, Victoria spent most of her time at Osborne until her death in 1901. Little has changed at Osborne since her death and many of the royal couple's possessions, photographs and paintings are still at Osborne.

Looking down towards the sea

Archway leading into a "Secret Garden"

This was called 'Swiss Cottages", a royal playhouse for Victoria and Albert's nine children. It was also a place where the children were trained to do basic tasks expected of any average person. The girls were taught to cook and perform household duties, and the boys were instructed in carpentry and working the land.

Each child had their own little garden which they tended and were responsible for. They planted flowers, fruits and vegetables which were sold at market prices to Prince Albert for use in the royal household!

This was Queen Victoria's bathing machine - it was wheeled into the sea so the Queen could emerge directly into the water and begin swimming!

The walled garden - inside are beautiful cottage garden plants and flowers.

I would highly recommend to anyone visiting the Isle of Wight to include this in your plan of things to see. More information on Osborne House can be find here

The snow is falling heavily outside and the forecast is predicting 15 cm of snow by evening - looks like spring isn't here quite yet! As beautiful as fresh fallen snow is I much prefer the the vibrant color of flowers and the varying lush greens of spring and summer.

While living in England we had the opportunity to visit a caravan park in Nottinghamshire at the time that the Rhododendrones were in full bloom. What a feast for the eyes! All along a pathway was bush after bush of these gorgeous flowers. The colors were magnificent! I had never seen anything quite like it. What can compare to the beauty of England? Truly I believe it is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Good Morning! It has been quite a few weeks since my last post - time seems to have slipped by! Hard to believe we are past the middle of February. I battled a sinus infection for the best part of four weeks, the end of January, beginning of February, so am just now starting to feel myself. How wonderful to wake up in the morning and feel energized to start the day! I was so exhausted and fatigued with the sinus infection and had such low energy. "Normal" is wonderful isn't it?! Our weather continues mild for the most part and the other day the sun was shining so bright and the birds were chirping so merrily that I believe spring can't be too far away!

Today we are enjoying a lovely day off school and work to celebrate Family Day. I am off to prepare breakfast - cinnamon buns, fruit salad, and orange juice/coffee - to start the day's celebrations.

Happy Monday to everyone!