Friday 19 September 2014

Flying Babies



Many years ago daughter Jess loved a Posy Simmonds’ children’s book called “Lulu and The Flying Babies”. It involved a little girl being shown the delights of a museum and art gallery by some cherubs that had come to life within the museum. They flew around the museum with Lulu, from room to room showing her great paintings and fabulous statues.


So, when I saw this beautiful flying baby in a stonemason’s yard….we decided s/he needed to have a home in our garden.


The position, above one of the terraces at the back of our house was chosen.


We waited until brother-in-law, Rick, was visiting, in order to have help in lifting and cementing our flying baby in place.


A bit of preparation of an appropriate ledge had to take place,

And then, s/he was put in place.


The mixing of the cement was considered....
I had used some quick drying mortar to cement in our mail box a couple of years ago…and there was a little  left over…. and it seemed sufficient, as we didn’t need much of it.


The men had done well, they were confident......Mark mixed….saying, I part powder, 4 parts water……

They stirred, and waited for it to turn into a thick paste….and waited, and waited…..and then I read the instructions to the workers…
.
4 parts powder, 1 part water…..oh well……men, of course, never need to read instructions do they !


As I was taking photos of the whole process… I was threatened with death and destruction as Mark realised that this was likely to make it into a blog.
"Dont you dare blog about this " said Mark......oooops


Our flying baby is actually pretty secure on her ledge, but will be cemented in more effectively when we have mixed up the correct thickness of cement.


There she is....overlooking our top terrace, ready to spring into life to show children around.


16 comments:

  1. He/she is what all top terraces need! I have to confess it's not just men who don't read instructions. I have been guilty of this myself...from time to time.
    A very lovely book too!
    Axxx

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    1. I really loved the book, as did Jess. I'm afraid I'm an instruction reader, and would never start some DIY project with out lots of pre planning.Most of the men I know do not do this ! Jxxx

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  2. Next you will need some flying cherubs for the trees.

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  3. Lovely - I like the special memories that she conjures up.

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    1. Yes, I cant look at her without remembering the book.

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  4. I think I need one of these for my garden, or a classical column with an urn on top, or maybe a weather vane. I can't decide, perhaps because I haven't a perfect little picturesque niche for it, like you have. Beautiful!

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    1. We hadn't realised we can see her from all the windows at the back of the house...an added bonus.

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  5. I have a few angels in my garden, Janice, and they bring me comfort and joy. Your new angelic presence, and its inspiration, is lovely and made even more so but the efforts to put her in her place. Lovely.

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  6. Oh, such a pretty little flying baby cherub, Janice. I do love a bit of white statuary in the garden and this one is Perfection! What a lovely way to bring back memories of your daughter.

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  7. How lovely. Men always think they know better than the instructions don't they?

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  8. What a gorgeous cherub, Janice, and I will admit to giggling about the misreading of the instructions. i have a husband who sometimes does that too. :-)

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    1. Despite what Annie says, I do believe its a man thing !"

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