BLUEBELLS, BUNS AND POST BOXES.
I like walking, preferably in the country and last weekend it was Bluebell time. In the years I spent living abroad, I really only missed (Apart from family and friends) Ale, Coxes apples, Cheddar cheese, Pork pies and bluebells. I think that the bluebells were the most difficult to forego. They have a wonderful scent and lay down a breathtaking blue carpet in woodland. There were many Azaleas in bloom too. Breathtaking.
Walking in the city is different, but I find interest in the architecture and messages left by previous generations. The district where I live was built between 1865 and 1910. The Victorians and Edwardians liked to add decoration to buildings. If one looks up there are plaques to read, dates on buildings, and decorative plaques and scrolls, often floral. Another interesting feature are the post boxes. They have hardly changed in design since first invented in the 19th century. In my neighbourhood the majority date from King Edward the 7th, a few of George (5 and 6) and very few from our present Queen. Every post box has the name of the King or Queen who ruled when it was made. Edward’s boxes have a rather fancy design, whereas his Mothers were quite plain. We don’t have a VR post box, but I do know of quite a few sited in country districts and still in daily use.
As a child, I used to collect “Bun Pennies”. A bun penny was one bearing the portrait of a younger Queen Victoria, her hair in a bun. I was quite sad when our old money was replaced by decimal coins. It was rather comforting to spend one’s pocket money and search through the images of long dead monarchs. It provided an historical continuity. Post boxes are great, but you can’t keep them in a tin.
Pennies other than old ones could be spent on a penny bun. Sweet with a sugar topping, a rare sugary treat fondly remembered.
Walking in the city is different, but I find interest in the architecture and messages left by previous generations. The district where I live was built between 1865 and 1910. The Victorians and Edwardians liked to add decoration to buildings. If one looks up there are plaques to read, dates on buildings, and decorative plaques and scrolls, often floral. Another interesting feature are the post boxes. They have hardly changed in design since first invented in the 19th century. In my neighbourhood the majority date from King Edward the 7th, a few of George (5 and 6) and very few from our present Queen. Every post box has the name of the King or Queen who ruled when it was made. Edward’s boxes have a rather fancy design, whereas his Mothers were quite plain. We don’t have a VR post box, but I do know of quite a few sited in country districts and still in daily use.
As a child, I used to collect “Bun Pennies”. A bun penny was one bearing the portrait of a younger Queen Victoria, her hair in a bun. I was quite sad when our old money was replaced by decimal coins. It was rather comforting to spend one’s pocket money and search through the images of long dead monarchs. It provided an historical continuity. Post boxes are great, but you can’t keep them in a tin.
Pennies other than old ones could be spent on a penny bun. Sweet with a sugar topping, a rare sugary treat fondly remembered.
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