730 things — Day 121 & 122 of 365

I'm so enjoying these little videos of Victorian recipes from Audley End. I love that the lady looks credibly like a Victorian person, and doesn't wear make up, and her hair looks natural and not sprayed. Makes me happy. And I like seeing all the bits and pieces of furniture and kitchen equipment and stationery and everything. It's lovely.

Audley End is on the outskirts of Saffron Walden, which is where my mother used to live before she moved to Battle to be closer to us after my father died. 

Late in life, after almost fifty years of marriage, my father separated from my mother (though they remained good friends and he stayed in close touch and they did not divorce) and after that I used to travel to Saffron Walden once a month or so, to spend a couple of days with her. The road wound round the edge of the Audley End estate, which was bounded (impressively) by a very long wall following the contours of the boundary. The way went over a pretty stone bridge and passed the decorative iron gates of the estate, and there was a good view of the house which is indeed lovely. So I have never actually been there, but passed it and looked at it many times in all seasons of the year. It's interesting with these videos to glimpse inside. Yet another imaginative and constructive response to the pandemic restrictions upon visiting such places.

I didn't post yesterday, so I have two day's worth of two items to go.

For yesterday, these two pairs of pliers — rather rusty, I'm sorry to say — that I'll add in to the DIY box I'm collecting for Freegle.

And for the same destination, this Stanley knife and a tape measure.

I don't know when pliers were first made, but the ones I'm giving away look as if they'd be right at home in the videos of Victorian life!