Friday 1 March 2019

A New Month

"A pinch and a punch for the first of the month". 

This saying originated from Old England times when people thought that witches existed.  People thought that salt would make a witch weak, so the pinch part is pinching of the salt and the punch part was to banish the witch.  The witch would be weak from the salt so the pinch was to banish her. 

Who remembers that from their childhood?

Our time in town on Wednesday was such a lovely day it was nice to have a stroll around the castle grounds.  In fact we had treated ourselves to a meal there and it was felt that a stroll might walk off some of the calories.  The portions are quite generous and very tasty.  The castle in recent times has become a hotel and a wonderful place and setting for a wedding.  There is also the museum attached so a nice place to stroll whatever the weather.





The grounds are spectacular all year around and are open to the public.  It was so nice to see so much green and the first sign of Spring teasing us.





At this time of year with the trees bare it is a bonus to be able to peek through and see the coloured buildings of the town.  There is also a little teasing of the harbour, look hard and you can see some of the amazing vessels berthed there.




Looking across the other side is the meandering of the water going out to sea.  The dappled skies shadowing the trees.




Another beautiful day here on our Island paradise.  A place that we have grown to love and now call HOME.

See you soon.

39 comments:

  1. Certainly does look lovely. Do you get pestered by midges?

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  2. Just a lovely place, to call home....

    Also, love your yellow shoes!!!!!!!!

    Here, we say something like; "If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion." And visa-versa... It came in like a lamb here. Beautiful day, sunshine, etc. Still cold, but it is still winter here. :-)

    �� �� �� ��

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  3. Awwwww, my little shamrocks, do not show up, as a signature, above. :-( Oh bother, as Winnie the Pooh says. :-)

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  4. I want to tell you something but not on here

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  5. We always say 'white rabbits' on the first day of the month

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  6. What a beautiful place to wander around! I have never heard the pinch and punch saying. The only saying I've heard about March is if the weather comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb, and vice versa.

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  7. You look very springlike yourself with that beautiful wrap. Isn’t it nice to have an unexpected treat?!

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  8. What a lovely place to have a meal, and nice to be able to stroll around the grounds afterwards. We've had some gorgeous weather just lately.

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  9. We don’t have that saying, but people here in the US South say “rabbit” first thing on the first day of the month for luck. I should look up where it comes from as i do not know. You look very spring-y in your yellow! And so do the flowers and beautiful bright green of the grass.

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  10. Wow! Beautiful photos! We always used to say that - still do. When we were kids the answer back used to be 'a punch and a kick for being so quick'. Were we a violent lot or what? Lol.

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  11. You yourself are the touch of spring I’m looking for! Wearing yellow and yellow shoes=perfection. Those castle grounds are lovely.

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  12. What a lovely place to visit. It's so nice that it is a hotel/restaurant/museum with lovely grounds. What more could a person ask for!!

    You look so cheery and Spring-ish in your outfit!

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  13. What a lovely place in a beautiful setting. We always said the pinch and punch but had no idea it was anything to do with witches.

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  14. I enjoyed the lovely stroll around the castle grounds and your area. Spring surely is close for you. You look so cute in your lovely yellow. ♥

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  15. What a wonderful thing to have a real live historic castle to walk about and get to know. You both are beautiful. Have a fab weekend. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  16. Beautiful views from the hotel grounds. I don't remember 'pinch punch' but on March 1st we always tried to remember to say 'White Rabbits' before we said anything else as we woke up, it was supposed to be lucky to do so:)

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  17. March came in wet and windy here. We've got gale force winds and rain coming in later, when I have to go to work. I'm also full of a cold too. The only thing in my garden is a few daffs, but all my shrubs are budding. Best, Jane x

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  18. I have never heard that expression but I am sure there are many more that reflect early superstitions. The castle you visited looks quite lovely and it must acquire an even better look when the greenery fills out.

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  19. How unexpected to see the Primula denticulata naturalised next to the stream, they are lovely.

    I remember 'pinch & a punch, first of the month' which was always followed by "no returns" so you couldn't get back whoever had got you first . . .

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  20. Oh what a beautiful place. Thank you for allowing me to stroll along with you this morning. Even more than that, thank you for your prayers, they are greatly appreciated.
    Connie :)

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  21. That place is truly wonderful☺

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  22. i can remember pinch punch, infact my boys still do it, had no idea where it came from though. Great pictures it looks a lovely place and loving your yellow wrap!

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  23. ".... Old England times when people thought that witches existed."

    -smile- They still do....

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  24. That castle is beautiful and so are the views.

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  25. Oops, lost the comment I had written. I've never heard that saying before. The castle grounds are beautiful. Glad you and Gerard are loving it there and it now feels like home. It's still beautiful like a fairy tale.

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  26. i would love to explore that beautiful area, and visit with you and Gerald of course!

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  27. I have never heard of a pinch and a punch for the start of a new month, or any other time. Very interesting lore. You look very chic in your yellow wrap and shoes!
    The castle photos had me blinking twice, for there is a castle here in Victoria built by a Scottish immigrant, James Dunsmuir, in the late 19th century, and it looks very, very similar. Craigdorrach Castle is its name. Probably a little smaller, but the designs are so very similar.

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  28. Glad you feel at home in your surroundings. What a comfort.

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  29. Pinch and punch is new to me but when I was young I enjoyed all the scary witch stories. That is a beautiful castle and if only walls can talk, they will have many stories to tell us. Lovely view of the surroundings too. Happy new week!

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  30. A very beautiful place ! It's so nice to see the first little flowers blooming and some colous coming out after these long grey winter month, and not yet finished ! Storm announced for today!

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  31. Love the castle!! Just beautiful!! I can only imagine a stay there in the hotel! Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  32. I love your outfit!! and a castle! I don't think we have too many over here.

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  33. What a beautiful castle.......and I love your wrap.
    Hugs-x-

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  34. Yes, beautiful pictures. A pinch and a punch - nope never heard it here in Wisconsin. I like the history of sayings and words. Thanks for sharing that!

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  35. What a great day. So looking forward to some green of our own.

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  36. Beautiful photographs, the Castle grounds look very nice.

    All the best Jan

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  37. It IS a paradise. No wonder you love it.

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