Crafty in the Med

I am here to enjoy meeting other bloggers and to share my love of craft ,mostly crochet, my thoughts and my daily happenings here in Alicante,Spain, my adopted country. I belong to a local choir because singing and music makes me happy. Flea markets and book shops are two of my favourite places to be. I read lots......sci´fi/fantasy,buried treasure, and off world adventures. I have a passion for history! I walk and walk and walk for about 10 months per year during the hot months I swim.

Wednesday 17 February 2021

Hello OZ

 

Hello Australia 

The ban has finally been lifted as of yesterday I am allowed to send post to OZ!!   Whoopee!

I have been checking this PO list periodically during eleven months...waiting....waiting... and waiting...and finally Australia has returned to the list:

 

The jug cover I had  completed for my niece back in  July 2020 had to be put on hold as I couldn't send it to her because the Spanish postal authorities had closed down all their postal routes to Australia. I wrote about this here .  

It is now on its way to my niece in Point Vernon,Queensland.👏

My family in Australia do not feel so far away now !

 

I try to keep this in mind

 


 Las Puertas de Alicante (The Doors of Alicante) Nº2

One of my twerky hobbies is to take photographs of doors not just any door but doors that have character. Some of you already know this as I wrote about this hobby of mine here.

 As we cannot leave the city due to lockdown,on Sunday morning I suggested to Sr P that we could go for a walk in the old town so I could take some photos of doors. I always enjoy a walk in the old town with him because as Sr P is from there he has so many anecdotes to tell me about when he was a boy running wild (he did too...my MIL told me lots) with his school mates in those streets. 

This door is circa 260 years old! 


Palacio Maisonnave

What they would have called a Town Palace built by a rich merchant family and curiously an Irish family called O'Gorman. It is situated in a very narrow street in a popular area of the old town; nowadays surrounded by restaurants,cafes and souvenir shops. It was built in the 18th century in the baroque style and over the years has been used for many things other than a palace.



This is the other door of the Palace. The entrance for coaches and horses.

These Palaces usually had a centre court in the middle of the building where there was a garden and even a stable.  It is big inside! !

Other than doors I do like taking photos of door knockers. They are splendid but unfortunately the antique ones have become very collectable now and fetch a high price.  This has provoked the theft of many from the old doors in the city and even from the doors in the little towns and villages in the province....such a shame!!  


I found it difficult to take a photo of all the front of the palace as the street is so narrow.   In 2001 the palace was purchased by the Town Hall but due to lack of funds it took them 10 years to restore it to its present state. In 2010 it opened its doors once again housing the Municipal Archives and offices.


 

Image downloaded from Alicante city webpage

 

 

Orchids

 Bless his heart Sr P didn't forget!

My husband gave me this gorgeous pot of Orchids for St Valentine's day. Red roses are fabulous but Sr P knows how much I love Orchids.

 




Latest RAOCK:

Day after St Valentine's day 

I am a day behind with my hearts!  still...never too late...right!

 I used Anchor cotton in Red and a  Hook 2,50     

A Free Pattern from a fellow blogger Anabelia Craft design which you can find on her post Granny Squares Hearts



 

I have dropped this RAOCK heart off this morning and placed it on a bench in front of the school which is near our place.  I would like to keep dropping off RAOCKS around the school area so the children get used to these finds and come out of school looking for them. I am being very cautious because I do want to remain anonymous so I have to do it without anyone seeing me!😊

keep well

 

Amanda :-)

 

PS:Lockdown has been extended to the 1st March in this province.  


 

 

 

26 comments:

  1. I'm sure your niece will love the jug cover, even if it's a bit late! That is one impressive door. My hubby and I got our 1st jab on Valentine's day. I must admit, it made me a bit emotional. We're a tiny step nearer to being able to cuddle our grandson. Much better than flowers, chocolates and champagne! I hope the children enjoy your RAOCK's. I have a mental picture of you sneaking out in the middle of the night, all dressed in black, to drop them off! xx

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    1. Hi HH. I have to admit I do feel as if I am doing something suspicious when I drop off my RAOCKs. Some of the members of the RAOCK group do go out in the evening so they don't get seen,not me :-) Good to hear you both have had your vaccine. Definitely one step nearer to normal life once again! A x

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  2. I bet your niece will be over the moon when she receives her jug cover Amanda, I enjoyed reading about the door, how nice to have so much history almost on your doorstep. The Orchids are beautiful, do you know I have never had one. The heart is lovely and how nice that the school children come looking for your RAOCKs. I plan on leaving some painted rocks around town once I make some that are fit to leave haha.

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    1. Hi Linda, I am crossing fingers that it gets to her safely. I think leaving the painted rocks is a great idea. IMO the ones you have shown us on your blog look more than suitable to be dropped off as Random acts of painting rocks RAOPRs LOL! A x

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  3. I am glad that you can finally send mail to your family and I love the photo reminding us of the stars and the sky. It can really make you feel closer to family and friends.
    What a shame about people stealing door knockers. What is wrong with people? I do remember your hobby of taking photos of doors and I always enjoyed seeing them and hearing the stories just as I did today with the Palace photos.
    Such a pretty pot of orchids. I kill orchids. It's a hobby of mine. Just kidding, but seriously, every orchid I have ever had was dead within days. I don't know why. I think they are beautiful and have even read up on them so I would take good care of them. They still didn't survive me.
    Your RAOCK is so pretty and I'm sure that the school children will enjoy finding them often. That is so sweet of you.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Hi Betsy, I kill Jasmine! As much as I take the greatest care of that plant it just does not like my balcony. It grows wonderfully well on my friend's balcony but not on mine! tch! It is a shame because it smells lovely and is also a mosquito deterrent. A x

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  4. Love the photos of old buildings in your town, it's the closest I will be to travelling there ever!

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    1. Thank you for calling in Chris :-) My Gran used to say never say never as you just dont know what life will bring. LOL! A x

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  5. I love those doors - such a lot of history. Your orchid is lovely as is your heart - someone will love finding that, I'm sure. Good news too about being able to post to your family in Australia.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

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    1. Hello Ellie, The heart had gone by the next day so pleased to say! Waiting now and hoping my niece in Australia receives the parcel safely! A x

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  6. I think it's wonderful that that historic palace was re-purposed for office use. Lucky office workers! So many places of work are devoid of any personality. I am sorry for the door knocker thefts.. thieves are the bane of society. I am sure that some young lady is treasuring your heart now! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Hi Teresa. I totally agree! I hate to see some of these grand old places falling to ruin. The heart I crocheted was gone the very next day . Since then I have left two more RAOCKs in that area and they have gone too. A x

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  7. Ohhhh Amanda Im thrilled you can post to Aust. I never did understand why you couldn't when everyone else could.. nonother location thus restricted.
    Wonderful news. BTW we've mercifully only had 909 deaths.
    Not getting vaccine it's been rushed and nrver has this type been used and knkw folks in UK bad reactions with both. Its actually long term that worries me.
    That has not been chrcked to see if genetic modification they all do doesn't cause Long term effects.
    That's an unknown question.

    Now that orchid is a beauty as is thd heart and what a lovely idea.. am sure thr children will cherish these mysterious gifts.
    Lovrly old building too.
    Prayer hugs.. God's blessing on you and yours and keep you safe in His care.
    Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz. X

    {Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
    {Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

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  8. Ps sorry all mistakes on mobile at 2.40am here.. can't sleep. Xxxx

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    1. I forgive you if you forgive me my horrendous mistakes when I cant find my glasses LOL!! xx

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  9. A walk in the old town must be fascinating because of the stories your husband can tell about his boyhood there. Those buildings are so solidly constructed and it's interesting to take a look into the courtyards. I particularly like the door of the Palacio Maisonnave with those metal studs, intricate doorknockers, carved stone face and coat of arms above. That's wonderful to receive the orchid from your husband on Valentine's Day. Your crocheted hearts will be loved I'm sure. So glad that you can now send post to Australia. I did not know that. (I like to write to me Aunt in Adelaide).

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    1. Hi Linda Thanks for calling in. I never tire of listening to Sr P talking about his childhood. He really must have been a handful. My MIL also told me a lot of things he used to get up to!! These doors and the buildings they belong to always emanate a strong feeling of the past to me and then my imagination kicks in. I suppose that is why I like these old doors so much :-) A x

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  10. Beautiful doorways, I think that is an incredible hobby. Love your beautiful orchids. Stay safe.

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    1. Thanks Mere. I enjoy it mostly because it is to do with the past :-) A x

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    1. Thank you Kathy! They really brighten my day :-) A x

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  12. Hi, Just wanted to stop by and say hello. I follow Lisa's blog and just read you live in Alicante. Sitting by my wife I said, that rings a bell, it is in Spain. We pulled in once many many years ago for ships repairs and some supplies including fruits and food. Such a beautiful place. I picked up some of my wife's favorite perfume somewhere in the distant hills. Loved the country. I just wanted to say, THANKS for kicking in a sweet memory and wish you the best. This Covid has sure interrupted lives....
    Sherry & jack In North Carolina USA.

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    1. Hi Sherry & Jack. Welcome to my blog. Thank you for dropping by and many thanks for your kind wishes. So very glad I was able through my comments on Lisa's latest post remind you of the good times you had here in Alicante. It is as beautiful as ever and continues to live up to its nickname "The city of light". I shall now return the visit and pop over to see your blog. keep well Amanda :-)

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  13. PS: I forgot, I enjoyed the visit and loved the doors!

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  14. As always, I have enjoyed your walk :-)
    Slowly, slowly we will return to some normality, I hope.
    xx

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    1. Many thanks Radka. It cannot come quick enough! A x

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Thank you for your comments. I do read them and try to reply to all as well.Please keep them coming. Amanda :-)