Growing up in Devon -

 

This beautiful scene depicts part of my English childhood. Created in pastels after a visit to my home town, a dear friend now long gone, gave this to me so I would always remember where I came from and what I loved about the countryside where I spent so much time.  The tall oak tree in the center of the fields was one I often climbed in with my best friend. She and I would balance astride a sturdy lower branch, talk about our dreams and the future. These fields were where my mother and I would gather mushrooms early mornings . . . . . . before the dairy cows came out and trampled them. 

Much changed over the years before I decided to come to America. We grew up and my best friend became a hair stylist. I went to college and trained to be a secretary, remember them? We had boyfriends and danced in clubs. My mother worked several jobs and we gave up tramping through the damp fields, preferring to sleep a little later before going to work. My dad worked hard too, and my brother became a great tennis player whilst still in school, trained and played mixed doubles with Sue Barker as his partner - Brits reading this know who she is of course!

Growing up in another country, across a wide expanse of water, means your children and grandchildren may not spend a lot of time in your homeland. We took our children to England several times when they were young. Travel was much easier in so many ways. . . . . .or perhaps it seemed that way because we were younger, healthier, and the world was a much different place! They spent time with their grandparents and other family members. They met my school friends, neighbors and their families. We enjoyed English summer days at the beach, some sandy others pebbly, Devon has a selection of both. Outdoor afternoon tea, watching brilliant colored peacocks strut through the orchard gardens was fun. Viewing wild ponies run across the golden gorse smothered ancient landscape of Dartmoor was exciting to city children. 

One of my own favorite childhood memories is of summer Sunday afternoon picnics on the banks of the River Dart. The surrounding moor was always a special place. . . . . .and the weather was usually pleasant and cool compared to here in the US southeast. Writing this today in much too hot, close to 100 degrees, and in a severe drought, I have a deep yearning to be back home across the pond.

For me, there really is no place like home. Mine is still across the ocean despite having lived here many more years than there.  Off to grab a cold drink and then pull a salad together - too hot to cook, too hot for anything much. Hope your summer days are pleasant.  

Devon thatched cottages in Shiphay village where I grew up.

American Museum & Gardens - Bath - Part II

Leaving the riot of color in the American Museum gardens was hard, and

looking out across that beautiful English countryside HERE dressed for spring

 I had to tear myself away to go inside Claverton House. 

Born in San Francisco but later settling in England, Kaffe Fassett has dedicated

 the last 50 years of his life to the world of knitting,  needlepoint and patchwork, 

promoting these crafts through his own work and inspiring others to find their

 own creativity.

The gift shop was a treat - if only the suitcase had been larger to bring all 

these beautiful books home.

One of many of Kaffe Fassett's extraordinary quilts. The exhibition of 20 stunning new 

quilts designed by him is inspired by the Museum's world-renowned collection of

antique American quilts (photos of them not permitted due to their fragility). 
This provides a unique opportunity to see the old and the new alongside one another.

Shaker sewing box.

As part of the Museum's fiftieth anniversary celebration, the collection of folk art

 treasures are redisplayed in an acclaimed new gallery. The collection testifies

 to they exuberant resourcefulness of art and home decoration made

 'by the people, for the people'.

As always, discovering new places with Ruth - see us together in the reflection

 above - and her husband Mike, was special. Later that evening an extra treat was

 meeting their daughter, an accomplished equestrienne, who joined us for dinner. 

Prior to that, after returning to Bath city, we made a stop at wonderful
 independent bookshop 'Mr. B's' where Ruth took me on our first meeting
 a few years back.
My stack of new books is awaiting exciting page-turning - yes I did make
 room in the bag to get those home - and will be discussed in a future post.
 I brought back some special ones!

Goodbye dear hometown. . . . . . .

Sunset last evening - view across the marina from our window.  

Today we are packing and will be heading to London. 

Tomorrow, a train ride into the city from our airport hotel

for a quick look around . . . . . perhaps a little shopping

 even though the bags are overflowing already, then flying

 home on Wednesday.

It has been one of my most favorite visits home during my

 many, many back and forth journeys across the pond over

 the past almost 56 years!

Lots to share with you later.

Fifty five and counting!

No, NOT my age, although reverting to such a younger age would have its benefits!

Would I really like to be younger?  In all honestly yes. . . . . . .and no!

Definitely mixed feelings on this subject. To what age would I want to return?

A lot of thought will have to go into that question. . . . . .perhaps for another post.

Today it's 55 years since I arrived here in the United States of America as a
legal immigrant. An entire day spent at the American Embassy in London early
 in 1962, several months prior to getting my paperwork in order to enter this country,
included interviews, medical exams, swearing to uphold laws, signing papers
 and such. I was sponsored by an agency who would place me in a job.
 I was almost 19 and planned to come for a year to work as a secretary in 
Washington D.C., save some money, travel a bit, then return to England. 
What happened?
 His name is Bob, haha!!!!!

The United States Capitol building in Autumn - Washington D.C. 

Prayers for Florida. . . . . . . . . .

We watch the news, we check with friends here who have family and

 friends there. . . . . .sadly not everyone was able to 'escape' and move

 to safer places. Hurricane Irma is so huge she will impact just about the

 entire state of Florida today, tonight, and into tomorrow.

Irma continues her path, ravaging the Florida Keys this morning and now

heading toward the heavily populated west coast of the beautiful 'sunshine state.'

We really have no idea as to how devastating the property damage might

 be, but we sincerely hope there will be no loss of life.

Florida, you are in our prayers today.

Photos of calmer ocean moments taken on other shores during my travels.

Timeless - a special anniversary. . . . . . . . . . . .

On this day, ten long years, ago I sat down at my computer and penned a little blog

 post, my first ever. It became the beginning of a new and exciting part of my life.

 My first blog I named Across The Pond, a title I liked as I believed it would resonate

 with any readers who might somehow discover me. Having come across that wide

 Atlantic Ocean many years before, and making a new life here in America, I was

 hoping to share not only my life here as an expat, but now and then throw in a

 few stories of my life growing up in England. . . . . . . and of my visits back and

 forth over what is now fifty plus years. 

After three years nurturing that first blog (still available HERE - see how bad

 my photos were back then!) I was forced to start another thanks to problems with

 the Google/Blogger gremlins! 

So, since 2010, A Breath of Fresh Air has been my window to the world, and my

link to kindred spirits. What an astounding world it is.

I especially have enjoyed meeting several of my blog friends in person, both here in

 North America, and across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans in several countries.
 Those of you who follow me, whether you leave generous comments or just
 read and run, I appreciate you all so very much. I know blogging takes time and
 we're all busy. There are now numerous fabulous blogs to follow out there
 compared to when many of us started years ago.

For me, this blog is my personal creative outlet, a way for me to share my

 photos (a now favorite hobby which, by the way, has been impacted greatly by

 blogging), especially those taken on my travels to places near and far on all

seven continents.

But, even more special, is the fact that my blog has brought me to

your blog, some for many of the past ten years, others more recently. I do so 

enjoy reading of the lives of others in their special corner of the world.

Some of us mention now and again that we are considering giving up blogging 

for one reason or another. It does take time, especially if you like to write 

a wordy post, prepare your photos, and do that several times a week, perhaps

 even daily. I admit to having had thoughts of quitting. Just think of all the other

 things I could be doing, such as making lampshades like the one above, yes I used

 to do that when my eyesight was better and sewing was a big part of my life.

 But now I really enjoy getting out with a camera, and coming up with something

 to write about which I hope you will read and enjoy.

Yes, blogging and I are planning to keep going a while longer. . . . . .  as long as

 I am able to fit it in along with all the other things life has a way throwing at us.

 I will be traveling internationally again this Spring - to a few new to me

 beautiful places - more on that later!

So here's to this day next year when hopefully we can celebrate yet another

 anniversary together. . . . . . . . .many thanks again for stopping by and

 sharing your time and your words with me here. You are certainly a very 

special group of great friends, and I'm thankful for each and every one of you.

Big hugs.

Christmas greetings. . . . . . . .

We are ensconced in my home town of Torquay in Devon 

on the southwest coast of England, ready to enjoy 

the Christmas holidays with family and friends.

Sending Happy Christmas greetings to you and your 

families and loved ones.

Getting Away From It All. . . . . . . . . .

No, this isn't happening at the cottage this Christmas season.

 These are decorations from another year when I had time for such. 

This year we will be gone from home so the green boxes are staying tucked

 away in the attic. I'm somewhat sad to think the house will be in darkness 

for Christmas. We fly across the pond tomorrow night. Hoping for a great cruise

 and then back to England for Christmas week. 

Hope to keep in touch with you all here, but just in case I'm having too much

 fun to blog, or the Internet lets me down out on that ocean, know I'm sending

 good wishes to each of you, my dear friends, for a wonderful holiday season.

Pre-Christmas cruising . . . . . . . . .

We sailed on this 'royal lady' in June 2014 and loved everything about Cunard's

 smallest - but still large - ocean liner. She took us to the beautiful Baltic

 countries and on to St. Petersburg, Russia - an amazing journey.

This weekend we fly across the pond to London, then head down to the port city
 of Southampton to board Queen Victoria on Monday afternoon and sail away
 that evening. Looks like our deck chairs are waiting - hopefully it will be warm
 enough to relax out there on sea days - bring on the blankets and hot toddies
 please - and calm water will be hugely appreciated!

This ten day cruise will take us to Portugal (Lisbon), Spain (Cadiz, Malaga, La Coruna), 

and Morocco (Tangiers), and return us to England in time for a quick whiz down to
 Devon and my home town for Christmas week with family and friends.
Am I excited? You bet I am!
As always, I will do my best to share highlights of our trip along the
 way - it's all up to the Internet of course!

Homeward Bound ~

~ Kinsale harbor, County Cork ~

"Farewell beautiful Ireland"

"Hello dear England" 
Our favorite pub for supper on the way 

home - The Pheasant Inn near Heathrow 

airport - a short walk from our hotel.

We flew from Ireland to England this afternoon
 and will be crossing the pond tomorrow.

Dreaming of home in Devon. . . . . . .

I'd really love to be back in England for the last days of Summer. 

As that's impossible, I'm spending a little of my Labor Day holiday time enjoying

 the memories while freeing up storage space on my laptop, and moving travel photos

 to my external hard drive for safe keeping. Need to be ready for my next trip where 

I'm certain to be taking a lot of new photos to share with you.

These are a few more from the June visit to Torquay, the town where I grew up,

 and the area of South Devon I'm so familiar with.

Enjoy!