The World's End... a Merciful Release

So I was sitting on the sofa last night with my head in my laptop when Mr N says "Simon Pegg was wearing a Sisters of Mercy t-shirt in that film advert".  So, being a longtime sucker for this band as regular readers will know, I thought I'd look it up 

Sure enough...

There it was in all it's glory

I've always had a soft spot for Simon Pegg ever since he was Tim the kidult in 90's sitcom Spaced 

And it seems he is also a fellow ex-goth

Check out the Eldritch-esque glasses

I've seen this t-shirt now advertised on sites using the film as a selling point.  For anyone who is late to the party on this, where have you been suckas?!

So The World's End is the last in the 'Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy' following on from Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.


I wore the Merciful Release logo proudly on t-shirts bought from various goth shops in Camden High Street.  I even had a SoM pendant which I wore around my neck like a badge of honour.   Being totally disillusioned with the popular 'alternative' scene of the time (Limp Bizkit and Papa Roach anyone?) I looked longingly to Mr Eldritch and his assorted musical gadgetry for a lifeline.  I was gonna form my own all female band then team up with my musical soulmate (as I thought he was then) and save the world.  Then we'd live happilly ever after in Berlin.  

Such a straightforward plan, I can't think why it never  materialised.  Maybe cos it turned out, he's a bit short for me

This is for anyone who needs an antidote to the summer and it's obligatory upbeat pop tunes

Exquisite Melancholy

It is currently 3.30 pm here in the UK as I type.  Outside, it is a dark dark shade of grey, and the rain is of biblical proportions.  

In an homage to the bleak and mournful, I thought I would share some like images found around the web recently.

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Most images found via this blog but I hope I have stated the correct original sources

xxx

Floodland

So I've been meaning to share some pics from our  trip to the Welsh valleys.  Not quite a month but what seems like a lifetime ago.  That was until I looked back and realised that I'd hardly taken any, apart from a few family snaps...

So here are some pictures of self proclaimed intellectual love god Andrew Eldritch instead

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He has been in my life since I was 12 years old and still slumbers rent free in my head from time to time

Anyhoo,

Oh, I took some pictures of the ice creams I had, obviously.

Lemon crunch and bubblegum & rhubarb crumble and lemon crunch (with bubblegum sauce)
 
Anyhoo,

 The only other photos I took were of Lake Vyrnwy.  A place we've often visited but I never ever tire of.

Found here

 

Isn't it magnificent?   On the surface, a picture of natural beauty.  In fact, Lake Vyrnwy is a Victorian reservoir. 

The huge stone aqueduct was constructed between 1881 and 1888 at the behest of Liverpool Corporation for the purpose of supplying the rapidly expanding city of Liverpool with fresh water.

During those years the people of the nearby village of Llanwddyn went about their daily activities.

  

They were eventually rehoused in a new purpose built settlement lower down the valley.

By November 1889 the village of Llanwddyn, its two chapels, three inns, ten farmhouses, and thirty-seven houses were all lost forever under the water. 

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This under water image is thought to be the remains of Llanwddyn

Apparently the remains of the dead were exhumed from the churchyard and re-interred in a new cemetery above water level

I'm told that several buildings of the old village are visible when the reservoir is low.   I have personally never seen this but Mr N has.  I hope to see the drowned village for myself one day.

I love the gothic style of the straining tower.   Worthy of many towered Camelot

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It was a sunny day when we visited, which was nice and perfect for ice cream.  However, I always prefer Vyrnwy later in the year when it is overcast, there are fewer visitors and there is a mist on the water.  There is something about being in the vicinity of a drowned community that is endlessly fascinating.  The stillness of the water and the eerieness of the area make my hair stand on end!

If you ever get the chance, it is definitely worth a visit.

I've just realised that my post title might be making some people in the UK recoil a little.  My apologies.  For once I am not using this blog as a platform to bemoan the weather.

Here you go

Enjoy
  

Lucy x

While we're waiting for the next one to arrive...

... and while I ponder how many Sisters of Mercy lyrics I can sneak into post titles, take a look at some outfits I've been liking lately

Her Kirtle Green

I discovered this blog quite by accident.  It's not updated anymore.   The talented lady behind it now blogs here.  She is a girl after my own heart to be sure.   These outfits make me want to watch Tim Burton films and skip around the woods dressed as Stevie Nicks.  But not at the same time.

Hummingbird Girls

 Some impressive vintage.  I want every single one of these bags!

The Dainty Squid

Man, I love her hair!   I also love the clashing colours and prints.  I need those heart print tights!

Some Girls Wander

Emily describes her style as "fashion as seen through the bottom of Alice's "drink me" bottle".  Unfortunately she doesn't blog her outfits anymore, which is a shame.  She is one of my favourite bloggers from my lurker days.   Also, her blog title is a reference to either Leonard Cohen or The Sisters of Mercy.  Either of which is fine by me.

Autumn is upon us - yay!  The season where I feel most like me.  I thought I'd celebrate by making a few iccl changes to the old homestead.  A few simplifications if you will, in keeping with the changing of the seasons.   Hope you like them

Lucy x

Words are just dust in deserts of sound

Hello campers

The Nation clan have just returned from a little jaunt up to Northumberland, one of our favourite little getaways. 

These were taken on the first night after a long drive and a couple of glasses of wine

Top & blazer - Primark

Skirt & necklace - charity shop

Brooch - Two Squirrels Vintage

Due to it being forecast to be one of the hottest weekends of the year so far, I thought I'd travel light and only pack a minimum of clothing.  It meant I ended up wearing the same things over and over but hey, less washing.  One of the tops I packed was this one I'm sporting...

...which used to look like this

A bogstandard men's t shirt from the charity shop.  I was drawn to the 'Refreshers' logo, ya know with my fondness for sweeties and all, but I tend not to wear t-shirts.  Answer?  Get scissor happy.

Admittedly I got a bit too scissor happy and ended up having to wear a vest underneath to preserve my modesty!  Still, I'll get much more wear out of this version, so jobsagoodun.

 

Do you recognise the necklace?  Yup, it's the one Vix sent me.  Isn't it fab.  I think it has a touch of the Ziggy Stardust about it which made wearing it even more fun

Top & skirt - charity shop

Leggings - can't remember

Necklace - Vix

Sandals - Dotty P's

On the way there we stopped at the services and I was beside myself with excitement to find this in the newsagents

A special edition of Metal Hammer magazine dedicated to "The Cure & The Story of the Alternative 80's" 

This took care of my reading material for the weekend!!

Special nod to Helga!

We visited all our favourite places and I took lots of photos, trying to get to grips with the 'Hipstamatic' camera app

We visited my one of my favourite ever bookshops, Barter Books, in Alnwick

A converted Victorian railway station piled high with all the books you could ever wish for. 

As far as the eye can see

   I could have spent all day in here, and that's just in the vintage children's annual section!

It has such a laid back and pleasant atmosphere with benches, tables and chairs dotted about for anyone to sit and read for as long as they wish.  Miss 5 spent was delighted to spend her time in the children's section which was full of little ride on toys and children lounging on beanbags reading or being read to by their parents.  Great stuff.

Incidentally, it is from this particular bookshop that the now ubiquitous 'Keep Calm & Carry On' phenomenon had it's modern day beginnings.  

This smoothie bar and cafe was a real find.  I'd definintely go back there.  They had the most yummy smoothies and a mouth watering collection of freshly made bakes, cakes and pastries.  I want to open my own place like this!

So all in all a gorgeous weekend.  Yes there was the odd torrential downpour and I was grateful I'd thrown the wellies in at the last minute, but most of the time the sun was cracking the flags.  

And that's about it from our little weekend, save to show you my nails, which I was very proud of

I knew I wanted to paint them black with some pink and blue accents but I wasn't sure where I was going with it, so I just 'freestyled' and hoped for the best.   When I'd finished, I realised my nails reminded me of liquorice allsorts!  Yay, sweeties!


I'll be taking a wee bloggy break for the rest of the school holidays to enjoy some family time and get myself organised!  So, enjoy the rest of August and I'll see you in September

Lucy xxx