Back to the Countryside

It was great to leave the bustle of Northern Virginia behind me and join Rob again at his cottage. The view above is from his place and I sat on the fence just sniffing the breeze and looking. Those woods made me remember a favorite book of mine when I was younger called The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge, in which Maria leaves Merryweather Manor and meets the Men of the Black Wood, a dark world set in a vast forest of pine trees. I've read it three times and now think a fourth reading is due.

 This was to be a working Sunday for me, and after we'd scoffed a whole packet of bacon and some eggs, Rob and I went to open the barn doors disturbing a frog and a black snake. We got the frog out but couldn't find the snake, he moved so fast. Shame, I would've liked to hold him. Rob started burning some bushes he'd uprooted and then we painted the poles for the hammock in green. Waiting for those  to dry, it was then time for my first session on the mower.

 

Apparently I was being closely observed and it was noted that my speed increased along with my confidence. No surprise there then. We both whizzed around the yard but I have to admit I had the nicer patch to cut; Rob got the dusty gravelly areas by the truck and under the trees.

 Since the tractor was out, some photos had to be taken and Rob struck a pose with his baby. 

 Back to painting again and this time I had the boom to paint red while Rob took on the bush hog. It was bloody hot and we had to pause at one point as a quick rain shower passed over. We only got one coat on each piece of equipment as enamel paint takes forever to dry especially in humidity. I'll be finishing my piece this weekend; I wanted to complete it myself despite Rob offering to do it.

Still not finished! The mowers had to be washed before going back into the garage. I was well pleased when we were finally done and we could eat dinner, have a shower and plop onto the sofa.

 What a team! Still smiling to the end especially as this was a day with NO TICKS. Woo Hoo! Later that night we stepped outside in the dark and stood watching the stars. I will one day take a photo of the night sky here but tonight, I just wanted to drink in the beauty of the evening and gaze upwards. A just reward indeed for a fun day of work.
 

Strolling a Suburb in Baltimore

On Saturday, Emily, Mukul and I drove to Baltimore to scout around. We stopped in the Hollins Market neighborhood when we saw this fruit and veg cart.

 The guys were very friendly and happy to pose for photos and we reciprocated by buying some fruit. They seemed to have their regulars as they stopped and knocked on peoples' doors. Once they'd moved on, we decided to keep walking around the area.

The neighborhood seemed initially imposing but we found that people were incredibly friendly and happy to have their photos taken, some even asking us to do so.

I wondered off around a corner and bumped into a local called Danny.

He was pretty well intoxicated but happy to chat, informing me that he'd been born and bred here and had seen the Beatles when he was 5 years old; their music was blasting out through the doorway.

 We had a discussion on religion and he pulled a prayer card from his wallet. I found the picture beautifully powerful and Danny carefully held it out while I snapped some photos.

 There were a few strange notices in windows or on walls. If anyone can tell me what the hell a King Syrup Sandwich is, I'd be interested, but I don't think I want to try one.

 I stopped to chat to a couple of guys who had lived in the same neighborhood for over 40 years and loved it. They pointed out this mural noting that the hands spelled the word LOVE. It was painted by Michael Owens using Sherwin Williams black paint. Images of its creation and the artist are here.

As we headed to the entrance of Hollins Market, we witnessed Danny on the other side of the street emerge from a liquor store and literally pour an eighth of bourbon down his throat.

 The consumption took no more than 15 seconds and I stood rooted watching in horrified awe. He picked up his boom box, and seeing us, strolled over to chat again, informing me of the birth dates of his children and the hospital he was born in. He then sauntered over to the market for lunch and I was compelled to follow.

The market, one long building running the length of the street, was built in 1838, and is the oldest existing public market building in the city of Baltimore. There was a large variety of meats, fish and vegetables as well as cooked food ready to go. Danny was down the bottom buying a hot dog and had a few more things to say before he departed for the last time, amazingly upright and relatively coherent. 

We strolled back to the car and then headed over to Greenmount Cemetery. 

 The chapel in the background was built in Gothic Revival style. Mukul and I wandered off but both of us had lost our creativity in taking photos. Poor Emily languished on a bench succumbing to the effects of her previous night's activities.

 Walking up to the mausoleum, we saw a work truck parked outside, but no one around. I tried the door and it opened, so we snuck inside. This is one of the finest mausoleums in Maryland and is of a Neoclassical and Art Deco design with granite columns, marble floors and bronze fittings.

I gasped when we saw these sacks and Mukul playing on my gullibility pretended to be shocked that bodies had been left lying on the floor. I had to prod them before I realized that they actually weren't cadavers but was too spooked to investigate their real contents.

 

Walking quietly, we investigated all three floors before leaving the dimly lit and silent building and closing the door behind us. Nearing the car, we met Emily hunched on her bench and decided to call it a day. After filling up with gas and dropping Emily and Mukul off at the car park, I turned Stuart around and we drove south to Rob's country retreat leaving the dust and decay of Baltimore behind.

Holiday Weekend in the Country II

Another late start on Sunday, but so what? We know how to relax. Well, Rob and I do. Kota doesn't, he wailed incessantly because he wasn't allowed outside but Rob was constantly patient and set up lots of viewing spots by the house windows for Kota to look outside. I did notice that Kota Kat was developing a relationship with Rob, almost like a hero worship. I'd never seen this before and although it was very cute to observe, I have to admit a little jealousy. Kota would follow him and talk to him in ways he didn't with me. I'm putting it down to a guy thing. I'll get over it.
We doused ourselves with Deet and headed to the railway track to lay pennies on the lines and take photos. Rob had come up with the idea of us laying down on the tracks for photos and I thought this an excellent plan. 

 We walked to the tracks and took photos of each other which I then played around with in Photoshop. I'm posting these images of us but want to retake the photos and spend more time on the images as I'm not actually happy with these results. I hadn't thought this through properly but now I have a better idea of how I want the images to look. So below are 'prototypes'.

We waited for ages for a train to pass through and the heat was sweltering. The sun burned and three turkey vultures floated above us as though waiting for us to expire.

 Rob fooling around which I found quite impressive as he stood in the full sun on the tracks the whole time whilst I wilted in the shade on the side. After about an hour, we had to admit defeat and decided to head back. I was thirsty and Rob insisted I finish the last couple of mouthfuls in our water bottle. What a hero.

We got back to Rob's neighbors' yard and checked each other for ticks. Oh yeah, we were infested. Mimicking monkeys at the zoo, we cleaned each other up without actually digesting any of the predators and then walked across the yard so Rob could introduce me to his neigbors, Jim and Jessie, who were wonderful people. 

 Jessie and I immediately hit it off and she showed me her mulberry tree which was laden with fruit. We promptly started picking and chomping whilst chatting and after some time we came full circle and stood back to observe our harvesting of the tree. We had pretty much cleared it of all ripened fruit and I was stuffed to the gills. We'd had a wonderful conversation about nothing in particular which us girls excel in, and I look forward to the next. 

Rob then carried on fixing the mower he'd got and of course had it running perfectly in no time. 

 Obviously, another test for me was due so on to the mower I hopped and listened diligently to my instructions. A few turns around the back yard and that test was passed. I trundled up the drive and back, grabbing a few more mulberries on route, and backed it without mishap into the garage.

A beautiful sunset from Rob's house.

 Not sure if he knows these are out on the front porch but they made a wonderful photo.

The fleet. Without the lawnmowers and well, where does one stop? Should the bikes be there too? I've driven everything now and passed, I think, except for the mountain bike incident. But I'll retake that one, stunt included once my wounds have healed.

On Monday, we went back to the railway tracks to look for our pennies but couldn't find even one. We'd put about 5 pennies on the tracks but none could be found. So, another visit to the track is definitely necessary, for pennies and for photos.

On Tuesday morning, I left the house, walked to the car, preparing to head back to Centreville, and was greeted by two cows standing and staring at me in the driveway while chewing the cud. We all stood looking at each other for a few minutes. I scratched my head and they shook theirs, so we stood and looked at each other some more. I then proceeded to Jim & Jessie's house but got no answer when I knocked on their door, so I had no choice execpt to herd them through a gate into a field and shut them in. They weren't the least bit perturbed and I even managed to stroke and pat them whilst saying goodbye.

Kota watched the whole scenario with his nose pressed into the gap of the slightly lowered window. I got back into the car and we headed back to northern Virginia, experiencing the same strange fantasy merging with reality feeling that I'd felt while reading Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Holiday Weekend in the Country I

On Friday evening Kota and I packed up and headed to Rob's for the weekend. Along with most of Virginia I think as it took us over 2 hours, but I did take a wrong turn while on the phone to Myra. (It's OK Myra, the drive was really pretty and I saw some photo ops that need to be revisited). 

 

My boys in the window. Aaww..

On Saturday, we drove out to get spark plugs for a mower Rob had acquired which needed some work done on the engine. We went in his truck and on the way back, I had to drive. My man has a check list of abilities that he is testing me on, and being able to drive all of his vehicles seems to be one of them. Was I bovvered? Was mine a face of concern? Duh, no. 

 

I swung into that cab and drove it like a champ. Reckoned I could have eaten a cheeseburger and done the Sunday crossword at the same time but didn't want to appear too confident. After all, I am a female. I'm sure later on, he'll have me hauling stuff on the trailer and changing tires, but wait, don't want to give him ideas!

So the first thing Rob had to do was change the tractor oil and filters and other things I've forgotten the names of, but it was cool to watch and pass the odd tool or part.I actually love playing around with engines and grease and tools and things so I was very happy to sit and observe, occasionally taking a contented deep sniff of the diesel and oil fumes. 

I printed off this sign for Rob so we got a frame and stuck it in the garage. Who needs Victoria Secret's Heavenly Angels perfume when you've got diesel?

 

 

The logo on the tractor and a cool iron wheel I found outside and am gradually sneaking into the garage coz I want to keep it.

One can't pass the evening by without a glass of red, and a couple of sanding disks made superb coasters. You know, since I'm slipping easily into redneck mode, I think I'll be coming up with some really cool decoration ideas come Christmas. Watch this space!

The tractor was finished before dark and rumbled happily with its new lubricant when started. A couple of photos of us in the disappearing light finished the evening and we headed into the house to chill out with Kota.

Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon

After a hearty breakfast late Sunday morning cooked by the main man, we headed out to the barn for my tractor driving lesson. I didn't let on but I was extremely nervous about this, having never driven one before and knowing what an important part of Rob's family heritage this vehicle was. I was actually petrified but being me I stuck my chin out and and strode forth.
Rob took control and I felt at ease under his command; he was firm but not intimidating and slowly I found myself relaxing and trusting his teaching skills. We poodled out of the garage and trundled up the drive to the road. We were going onto the road! Yee Ha! In for a penny, in for a pound, and going through the gears we motored at a sedate pace down the hill with Rob perched behind me.

 I was enjoying this and my confidence was growing so much that I started imagining how cool it would be to have a blinged out tractor with a metallic paint job, chromed light rims, diamond and alloy wheels plus a Coach or Guess compartment behind the seat to hold shopping bags. Hmmm.

 Rob and me blasting down the road.

Oh Oh, there's that big scary truck behind me.
We turned around and headed back to the cottage where I had to reverse the tractor back into the garage. I managed that without incident and was extremely stoked that my tractor lesson had gone so well. 

 After mooching around for a bit, we headed into town and Rob took me past the house that a private plane crashed into and obliterated the residence. It was the first time I'd seen crime scene tape in real life. 
I was then very excited when Rob took me to an abandoned mill he'd found previously when out cruising around on his motorbike.Was he a potential urbexer? We arrived at the mill and I was frustrated that I didn't have a tripod with me but Rob mentioned how beautiful the place would be with fall colors so I guessed that a trip later in the year would be an excellent idea.

The footbridge leading inside the mill was definitely hazardous so we had to enter from below.

Inside, it was dry and filled with old machinery, casks, sacking and a few old tools. The floors were treacherous with many holes and wobbly floorboards but I managed to navigate my way across to the stairs and headed upwards, finding more casks and machinery upstairs.

I caught Rob examining some pieces of paper but we couldn't find any business documentation. This page was the only information I could find online about the mill but it looks very much the same as it did in 1936.

We ascertained that as well as a grinding mill, the building probably doubled as a saw mill judging by the wood and machinery on the side of the building. On our way out, we bumped into a guy called Jo who stopped and chatted. He was staying at a local commune and was heading towards another a few miles away.

I loved his old bike which belonged to the commune and was obviously free for all members to use. I'm not sure that I could have completed my previous day's mileage on it, and Rob's also looking pretty sceptical as he ponders over the lack of gears.

 After a long chat with Jo and an exchange of info, we drove back to the cottage passing this tumbling down house perched up on a hill. We pumped up the tires on Rob's mountain bike and had a quick ride up and down the lane. Swapping bikes, I decided to attempt a BMX stunt and was feeling pretty chuffed when I executed a jump over a tree root and landed successfully. Unfortunately, I thought a broadside skid would be pretty cool too but this didn't work as well especially when I locked the front brake instead of the back.

So I ended up with an awesome boo boo on my left leg which bled copiously and a dented ego. Whatever. My English teacher once said, 'you have all your life to grow up.' Not quite sure that I'll ever get there though...