Lord Dawdle writes: “We take the written word for granted so much these days, it’s worth taking time to find out where it came from and indeed ponder on where it’s going. This book by penman extraordinaire Ewan Clayton – handwriting dunce turned master calligrapher – explores the history of our most vital communication tool from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics through to the latest computer fonts. A modern classic and must for anyone who works with words. It will surprise and amaze. As my dear wife put it “most illuminating!”  Take a look in the Library

As we rev up and roar through 2014 we here at Dawdle Hall will be pausing briefly in the diary to cheer on some of the more unusual achievements that take our fancy in our new Hats Off To section.

Hats off to: Wiry Finlay Wild who ran the entire length of the British Alps – The very spiky and exposed 12 km long Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye – in under three hours; 

Boffins at Oxford University who came up with a nanoscale train set powered by microscopic motors and powered by DNA – yes really!;

Pioneering Phyllis Pearsall who came up with the original London A-Z back in the 1930’s after getting lost on her way to a party one rainy night thanks to an out of date map. Despite putting in 18 hour days walking the 3,000 miles of London’s 23,000 roads no one wanted to publish it, so she did it herself. Hurrah!;

The eggheads in America who have created the most waterproof material ever, inspired by ridges on nasturtium leaves and the wings of butterflies;

And finally the French cafe in Nice which got fed up with surly customers. If you say “please” you get money off your coffee and if you say “hello” as well the price is even less. This should now be adopted by all food and drink emporiums with immediate effect. 

Emma celebrates her new page

Festive greetings to you all from Lady Winifred

With preparations well under way for the annual carol concert at Dawdle Hall it was a joy to see our niece Emma. A devil for a descant and glass of mulled wine she arrived wearing a striking red jumper emblazoned with Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.

It was really quite stylish in a forties sort of way and attracted many admiring glances from the assembled host. So, when I enquired as to which designer had come up with such a subtle twist on a traditional theme I was astonished to learn it was all her own work.

Unbeknownst to me Emma has become a dab hand at knitting and an unofficial ambassadress for the art. Not only does she work in a trendy wool shop in London, Loop, she has a proper degree in all things material. Over a mince pie she revealed just how far we have come from those nightmare days of “a present from granny.”

Anxious to learn more I implored the busy girl about town to be our guide to the wonderful world of wool. After a couple more mulled wines she agreed and has installed a selection of the adventurous designs she has come across in The Studio.

Naturally the creation of Emma In Stitches https://dawdleandwhimsy.com/about/the-studio/emma-in-stitches/ had to be celebrated and we broke open a bottle of bubbly. The last I saw of Emma she was on all fours attempting, without much success, to measure up poor old Whimsy the dog. Apparently he is going to get an elf costume for Christmas – complete with pointy hat!

Talking of hats. We will shortly be introducing a short new section at the end of the Diary called Hats Off To. Our way of saying well done to a kaleidoscope of fascinating people and inventions.

So, deck the halls with boughs of holly and …skeins of multi-coloured wool

Very best Wishes

Lady Winifred

Note: If you are following this blog please click on the Dawdle Hall Diary title at the top of the page that appears in front of you to access the site.

Hark the herald, Lord Horatyo- ho- ho here again,

As the first snowflakes begin to fall on Dawdle Hall I am delighted to announce a suitably wintry collection of new photographs in The Gallery https://dawdleandwhimsy.com/about/the-gallery/the-condon-collection/ . They were taken by old friend and man about the mountains John Condon as he tackled the remote and beautiful Monte Rosa massif in Switzerland.  

We also hope you enjoy our musical Christmas turkey in the video above. I just love the way it pauses for effect half way through its performance. Priceless! The galloping game bird was owned by a remarkable man and close family friend, Col Michael Hickey, who died recently.

Top soldier, singer, artist, author and raconteur, he will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. I am sure Michael would be tickled pink to know his wonderful sense of humour goes marching on. Gone but never forgotten.

Whimsy the dog is a huge fan of Twinkletoes the turkey too. Whenever we play the video he pricks up his ears and howls along to the music.  

Glad tidings of great joy to you all!

PS: When it comes to winning the war against the winter blues this wonderful balaclava had me in stitches. It was spotted by friend and celebrated wordsmith Shan Lancaster on the DIY-It’s Easier Than You Think website along with this fabulous Christmas tree created by nurses.