R's rue

  Lady Eleanor Butler (1739-1829) & Sarah Ponsonby( 1755-1831)  are well known in North Wales as the famous  Ladies Of Llangollen.  Famous just as much today as they were in the 1800s, these two recluse eccentrics moved to Wales from Ireland to set up a home together at  Plas Newydd  in what was always presumed ( but never really proved) in a lesbian relationship. Last night I went to see the premier of  Celebrated Virgins,  a new play by  Kati Elgin Salt  . From the get go the play informed the audience that it was going to redress history by telling the true story of  Eleanor  and  Sarah  from their privileged Irish start to their goldfish bowl existence in the picturesque Welsh town of Llangollen . I will try not to give much away but the play has two very differently paced halves. The first is set in Ireland and effectively sets up the meeting of these two amazing women where as the second , and lighter ...

Tim Hardin  -  Sketch by Dale Burkhardt Is it really twelve years since I blogged about Tim Hardin? I guess it must be because the evidence is here . In 2010 I shared his recording of "Reason to Believe" but tonight it's the turn of his other most famous song - "If I  Were A Carpenter". This was released in 1966:- If I were a carpenter And you were a lady, Would you marry me anyway? Would you have my baby? If a tinker were my trade Would you still find me, Carryin' the pots I made, Followin' behind me. Save my love through loneliness, Save my love for sorrow, I'm given you my onliness, Come give your tomorrow. If I worked my hands in wood, Would you still love me? Answer me babe, "Yes I would, I'll put you above me." If I were a miller At a mill wheel grinding, Would you miss your color box, And your soft shoe shining? If I were a carpenter And you were a lady, Would you marry me anyway? Would you have m...

 Almost overnight the lane outside the cottage has been bordered with wild flowers. Predominately white at the moment but the red valerian is making a comeback in between the cow parsley and the aubretia which has survived some over zealous grass cutting by the council workmen. The lane is softened by the white drifts of flowers and May into June is the best time for the garden too with eight types of aquilegia lifting the borders into pastels once again. I got up early today walked the dogs then naughtily went back to bed at 10 am  I’m now up and around and feel better for the catch up after working the weekend. Tonight I’m meeting a friend for some historical lesbian drama at Theatre Clwyd It’s about the famous Ladies Of Llangollen so I suspect there will be no bodice ripping in sight. from Going Gently https://ift.tt/45zqjp0

 French toast Cool breezes A cute pooch A beautiful morning What is making you Smile today  from R's rue https://ift.tt/IEqTa0X