Hi Sally: You asked if your contribution of articles would be a worthwhile contribution to the site, and I say "Yes, absolutely."  I must admit to being quite envious of your itinerary for upcoming travel.   Your articles and beautiful photos are most appreciated.  As a foreigner and one who will most likely only see England thru tourist eyes, I would much rather look at the pics here than some stuffy, glossy travel brochure. The thing I love about POE is to be able to see pictures taken by all you who live there and have an appreciation for the beauty of the British Isles.  I've learned so much from POE and have spent many an enjoyable hour here.  Looking forward to more of your pictures and travelogues.  Please keep 'em coming!

Sally they are great articles - I like the way you put some amusing bits in which always keeps my interest! I don't live far from the garden centre you mentioned or Avoncroft. It is one of the best garden centres around - did you see the thatched cottage - when I was little that was the main part of the garden centre and I used to play outside on the lawn while my parents did the "boring buying plants bit" !! I have grown up going to Avoncroft too - I even did my final project there at art school - the staff let myself and my friend go there every day for a whole week to draw and photograph the post mill. They let us photograph inside it too. My friend did a painting of it and I did a technical drawing of it's structure! Every Christmas I take my boys to the Victorian Christmas celebrations there and they see Santa in the caravan!

Thanks for your kind comments. I have just returned from two weeks in N Yorkshire and although the weather wasn't wonderful for photography I've had an interesting time which I will try to write about as soon as I get a minute or two to spare.