Friday 18 October 2013

My Beautiful Neighbourhood



It was one of those rare Autumnal days yesterday, the type you normally only see in films, crispy leaves underfoot, brilliant sunshine and a bearable nip to the air. After two days of torrential rain, fog and bone-chilling cold it was a welcome change. On went the layers and the comfy footwear as we took the camera on a leisurely stroll around the block.


Welcome to suburbia.


The neighbourhood was built in Victorian times as a village for the town's wealthy.


Obviously things went downhill when Jon and I moved in.


This house (and it's owner) has featured on Come Dine With Me.


This pretty house looks like it's seen better days.


Local legend, Rob Halford from Judas Priest, used to live here.





Gorway Cricket Club was built in 1909, I worked as a barmaid here in the 1980s.


It's a perfect place to be on a sunny Summer's afternoon, drinking cheap real ale and catching a bit of cricket.









No prizes for guessing the political persuasion of the original owner.


Good to see so many original features remaining.


Our nearest neighbour...


and that's our house just behind it.


Greenhill Walk is the quickest route to the pub,  paved in the famous Black Country-made Staffordshire Blue Paviours, it's lethal when it's frosty and, as it's unlit, terrifying on the way home.


Highgate's derelict windmill was built over 200 years ago.


During WW2 it was used as an observation post by air raid wardens but fell into disrepair during the 1960s. It is privately owned and closed to the public.


Early Victoria-era mews houses.


The local. The White Lion is a traditional back street pub, rebuilt in 1890.



My childhood home.



Our house is probably the oldest around, built in 1760 and originally three single storey dwellings back in the days when the area was all farmland. We're digging up animal bones in the garden over two and a half centuries later.


1950s fake leopard coat (£5, Age UK), suede suit (Ebay, 2010), 1960s St Michael tee shirt (darling Curtise), Leopard platforms (Ebay, 2011), crochet skull cap (Arambol Sunday Flea, Goa)

I'm off to introduce a new friend to the delights of Second To None this morning, flogging my wares at Bridgnorth Vintage Fair & having a Greek night round at Liz & Al's tomorrow and probably spending Sunday recovering.

Have a fantastic weekend!

PS Sharing my boots with the stylish chicks over at dear Sacramento's and Spy Girl Anne's Feline Frenzy.

92 comments:

  1. Thanks for the tour, what a lovely neighbourhood you belong to. Very very nice.

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  2. Better than Grantham :D
    You're looking hawt hawt hawt!!!

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  3. Love all the pics of the houses - so different in style from our houses!
    You look divine!
    Have a great weekend - im going to Stockholm! Yeay!!!
    Xxx

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  4. really amazing your house is that old!! and I love love love your neighborhood! so nice buildings!

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  5. Nice gaffes! Shame about them feckon' bins! Ugly ruddy things aren't they. Thanks for the wander :D

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  6. I like the neighborhood..it looks quiet and serene :)

    love your look too especially the leopard print shoes :)

    http://www.myunfinishedlife.com

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  7. Wonderful, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    Join us with your wonderful boots in todays link up, my queen
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  8. What a lovely neighbourhood - I love old houses. My student house in Portsmouth was the oldest on the street (1840, 1850?), and the person who built the street lived in our house, and made that one wider than all the others on that row! And it survived the Blitz!

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  9. What a lovely neighbourhood - I love old houses. My student house in Portsmouth was the oldest on the street (1840, 1850?), and the person who built the street lived in our house, and made that one wider than all the others on that row! And it survived the Blitz!

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  10. Your neighborhood is so beautiful and in this season with all the leaves and their amazing colours seems such a peaceful and evocative place!
    I love all the historical buildings and houses, I'm really fascinated by British aesthetic and living in a house like yours is one of my dreams!
    I love the coat you are wearing, probabily because I own his twin!! The hat is really cool with it, such a brilliant combination of colours and shades!
    Have a wonderful weekend darling!
    Love xxxxxx

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  11. Oh Vix what a wonderful walk with you and Jon.....the windmill looks amazing.
    It was crazy pouring with rain here today...weather ahhhhh!!!
    I hope the market is success....have a great night out.sending happiness to you always....love V

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  12. wooowwwww!! your shoes...and the coat, it´s so beautiful♥♥
    are you living in this street? I like it so much!
    (I´m looking Inspector Barnaby on TV, because I love the houses and gardens. Sorry my english is not so good, can you understand ? ;-)
    greetings

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  13. Great post, I love that victorian stained glass window! I love original features having grown up in an Edwardian house.

    Its nice seeing where you live and it all looks extra pretty with all the autumn colours.

    Love the leopard print too, I just got a leopard print coat and I plan to wear it with everything!

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  14. i have always wondered what the highgate are of walsall was like, there are some beautiful houses lots of original features really enjoyed this post, and i love the coat its definately you xxx

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  15. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your neighbourhood. I dream of living in a gorgeous character filled home like these ones ... you lucky thing.
    xx

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  16. What a lovely neighbourhood, where I live is quite similar. I hope you have a lovely weekend! x

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  17. gorgeous! you and the houses xxx

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  18. Positively enCHANTing. I ♥ EVERYTHING about your neighborhood! Yes, I do.

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  19. Very lovely.
    Twiggypeasticks x

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  20. It is indeed a lovely area, so you fit right in, Vix! I can vouch for the lovely properties, having seen some of them at first hand. The Cremlin looks fab, love the stained glass, the poor old windmill, your parents' home, and of course your fabulous house!
    Great photos, I do like a wander around and a neb at people's houses, so thank you!
    Don't you look wonderful, in your leopard print, rocking the red (Jon will be happy!) and with your luscious legs on display!
    Right - fancy a pint this lunchtime in the White Lion? On my way! xxxx

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  21. That was an interesting walk around your neighborhood. The houses look romantic. Love that flower detail on the grill and еру stained glass window.

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  22. Such a brilliant post - I like the idea of a virtual walkabout. There's so many beautiful houses in your neck of the woods (including yours and your family home, natch!). I particularly like the white rendered one with the wild garden - I bet the inside hasn't changed much either.

    P.S: Hee! Loved the house name 'Cremlin' or was it 'Gremlin'? xx

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  23. Oh I have been so tempted to try and do a post with photos of my town as there are so many pretty buildings around - I love to see old buildings.

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  24. Ohhh, that pretty painted wrought iron, how lovely is that. I think my favourite house is the second one, with those lovely leaded windows on the porch and that long window over what I assume must be the stairs.


    I love seeing posts like this, it really brings home how much variety there actually is in a neighbourhood. I keep meaning to do something like this for my area too, so now I feel a bit more inspired to get onto it :)

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  25. wonderful tour, thank you! Such gracious homes, esp your own and what history! We recently moved from a cottage built in 1925, one of the oldest homes in our town -- a mere baby. And you -- looking gorgeous as always. xxx

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  26. I could happily move into pretty much every house here!

    Have a fun weekend. x

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  27. love this kind of late 19. century architecture. bricks and wood, natural stones and colored windows - a little arts&crafts - we call this "heimatstil" here.

    and i have to look for some animal prints next time at flea market :-)

    B.

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  28. what a pretty little neighbourhood you have! i love Historical houses. There are many parts of Sydney mainly in the city that have rows and rows of Victorian houses. My suburb has one side of the street in beautiful federation/ Queen Anne style houses - big windows and porches, summer rooms and Australiana details. Just beautiful! The other side (my side) is 80's and 90's flats. both ugly and spacious at the same time

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  29. How come your version of suburbia is so much cooler than ours? I remember walking through it with you two and thinking it was so cute with so much history! I still trip out on all the brick work, not so common in Oregon but really beautiful! Your house is my favorite because duh it's yours and honestly it's as different as you and Jon compared to all the rest.

    That suede outfit is so cute and I love you in a beanie and those are my favorite shoes ever! So wonderful to catch up yesterday, I hope you and your new friend are having fun shopping! I love second to none but not as much as just kicking it with you! Sell loads at the fair!
    Loveyoutonsxxxooo

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  30. Beautiful area. The houses are so cool. My childhood home looked just like all the others on the street, except it was the green one.

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  31. Love your autumn outfit; just fantastic!

    Gorgeous town you live in, you lucky duck!! Most of the houses here in So Cal have been repeated thousands of times. Yawn! And we have Homeowners' Associations that we have to pay dues to that care for the common grounds and make sure that everyone's house maintains the status quo right down to the paint colors. Boring. I look forward to the day that I can leave here for good to live in a town that has soul.

    Have a fabulous weekend! :)
    xxx

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  32. I loved the tour. Those houses are all gorgeous. I especially like the one in need of attention - I love houses that need some tlc.

    It sounds as though your weekend is going to be busy. I hope it's a good one.

    Another gorgeous outfit. I adore coloured tights xx

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  33. ....and I love that Rob Halford lived nearby - that's pretty cool x :D

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  34. Even your suburb is cool! I thought ours was old.....1960's, baby & I am loving that leopard coat!

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  35. Such beautiful buildings, love the windmill

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  36. What a fabulous idea. I loved the tour of your neighbourhood.

    There is nothing like an old English neighbourhood pub. I'm glad to see that not all of them have been pushed out by the large franchises.

    I cannot believe how old your house is. Are there any ghosts living there?

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  37. What a delightful neighborhood and a picturesque child hood home. I love seeing where people live.

    Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com

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  38. Even your 'comfy shoes' are fabulous! Great to see around your local area - so much history there!

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  39. Love your neighbourhood. Having grown up in council flats and houses where the whole area is the same, it is refreshing to see individual architecture.

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  40. Wow what beautiful and fabulous houses - I'm such an architecture geek. I thought that house was called 'Gremlin' - I really should put my glasses on :oD

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  41. What a lovely neighbourhood! Much prettier than anything around where I live, that's for sure.

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  42. gorgeous houses, and I love having a nose at fancy houses, especially when they have the date on them! I am smitten with your leopard fiesta, I have ankle boots so similar (except they are wedges!haha) and your red suede dress is fab, enjoy your yum Greek night and have a brilliant weekend!! x x

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  43. Bahaha! Your idea of comfortable footwear isn't quite the same as mine! What a lovely area you live in.
    So you were practically neighbours with Rob Halford?
    Have a great weekend Vix. xxxx

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  44. From your previous pictures I always imagined your house to be by QM girls, I don't really know Highgate of that side of town well, although I did live in Princes Avenue as a baby.

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  45. That was a great tour - and not tiring at all ;) What a lovely neighbourhood you live in!

    You and I have very different ideas of what is "comfortable footwear". However, I wouldn't expect anything less from you - awesome outfit!

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  46. You're such a star to share this glimpse into your 'hood! I love it, Can definitely see myself living in one of those houses. I mean they're all so unique and with so much history. Heaven!

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  47. wouuuau, such a fabulous tour! and you're rocking all that pretty animal print!, your booties are really cute and love the color combo you're sporting!!, so delightfully red suede suit!
    besos & nice weekend

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  48. I do love a good nose around where other people live - thank you for providing such a great virtual tour of the neighbourhood. I particularly like all the personal links to place and past that you mention. It's clear why you love your home area.

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  49. A lovely tour - Thankyou! You look divine as always!

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  50. As with your clothes, your suburbia is much better looking than the brand-new massed produced style!

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  51. what a beautiful way to the pub ... it's beautiful in your town. romantic and lovely.

    love the leopard spotted boots!

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  52. What a treat, getting a wee stroll about your 'hood! It's really rather lovely, and very different from mine!
    Funny, all I think when I see brick nowadays is that it won't stand up in a quake! Pretty much every brick building in this city is no more. I do love the look of it though, and the Victorian era is a favourite!
    O, that pathway! I could see me going arse over tit along there, no worries!
    You look scrumptiously snuggly! I look forward to a report on the fair and the Greeek night!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  53. What a lovely idea.
    Your house certainly looks like it has lots of character - perfect for you both.
    The cricket club looks almost the same as our local one.
    Have a lovely weekend.

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  54. I love Victorian style and suburbia. where do you live dear? I came here from Sacramento's and I'm following you via bloglovin, gfc, facebook (private id valeria a.). Hope you can do the same!
    Love,
    Coco
    Coco et La vie en rose
    Coco et La vie en rose on Bloglovin
    Coco et La vie en rose on Facebook

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  55. Loved joining you in your 'hood. Have a great weekend. M x

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  56. I love your burbs!
    Our burbs are so you don't want to live there -
    I love all the history and architecture, it's just amazing

    Have a great weekend

    Ariane xo

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  57. Walsal is lovely!!! You grew up in SUCH a big house! I grew up in a 2 bedroom bijou which was/is titchy!!!!!x

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  58. wow i would love to live there, i love the architecture of the houses, here everything is to new :(

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  59. Love todays get up! round your way looks class, I love old houses x

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  60. Great tour I have house envy! :)I love all the old and original features and love your outfit! <3

    http://hayleythrills.blogspot.com
    http://www.youtube.com/users/hayleythrills

    XOXO

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  61. Thanks for the tour. Brings back wonderful memories of our trip to North Yorkshire in 2009. I though our house was old - it was built in 1920!! That is old for the U.S.

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  62. You call those comfy footwear? You are hardcore, girl. Glad to see you've got your arms covered today though. What a posh neighbourhood you hail from, all big detached's and driveways. I reckon my gaff would fit in yours three times over. Sounds like you've had fun in Wetherspoons. Enjoy the fair and kleftico tomorrow.
    xxxxxxx

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  63. Aww, thank you for the tour, that was really lovely - I love history, architecture & photography (besides the vintage!) and it was great! Loved that sunflower gate and I so want to live in a place called the Cremlin!! How fabulous would that be! (my pups kennel club name is Tovarich Theodora, tovarich being russian for Comrade! bless!)
    Looks like a beautiful place to live and naturally, you suit it perfectly! Loved your home too, vintage and different like it's owner :)

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  64. Thank you for the tour of your neighbourhood! It looks like a lovely place to live. It's so neat that you live in the original home on that piece of land and that it was built years before the city of Toronto even existed. Hard to get my head around that one. You look very nice for your walk and I absolutely love what you call your comfortable shoes! :)

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  65. Your house in older than my country (well since its been classed as a "country" in terms of what a modern nation state) and that pretty much blows my mind. I kind of forget how old the rest of the world is sometimes! I love your walking attire - those tights are awesome. Thanks for sharing your neighbourhood with us - its quite beautiful :)

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  66. Suburbia is horrid-looking in America, whereas yours looks magical and like a place I could happily explore forever. Starting with your closet...lol.

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  67. Your neighborhood is so fab! I love the history of it all, and the loveliness. Always a lover of old things, I am. ; )
    xo
    d

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  68. So lovely to see around your neighbourhood. Looks like a beautiful place to walk and enjoy the autumn sunshine.

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  69. Loving the look around your neighbourhood. It looks great, I live a fairly new housing estate so there isn't too much in the way of interesting buildings. Loving the leopard print.

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  70. loving the leopardskin to combat the autumn gloom.

    I love your neighbourhood - it looks similar to my friend's neighbourhood, she moved to a Birmingham suburb after college and when I went to visit, after hearing only negative things about Birmingham, I was knocked out by how lovely it was. The windmill looks like it would be a great conversion!

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  71. What a lovely idea for a blog post! It's so 'up my street'. I live in a city and I get massive house envy when I look at other people's houses. It probably wouldn't matter if I lived in the house of my dreams...i'd probably still covet other people's houses! :)

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  72. What a lovely idea for a post, your neighbourhood looks particularly interesting with some characterful places. I'm not sure I would feel comfortable living in a house so old, I'm a wuss! x

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  73. Well the title says it all! Your neighbourhood is as beautiful as you! XXX

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  74. i love the outfit..and these houses look like they have seen a lot..there is a sense of history in them..lovely photos vix.

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  75. you live in such a pretty area! http://britishmermaid.blogspot.co.uk/

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  76. Super cute houses. Your pictures look amazing. Do you want to follow each other? Following you now on bloglovin =)

    www.lesley-kim.com

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  77. Such a pretty neighborhood! After growing up reading tonnes of Enid Blyton and other british authors, It was a childhood dream of mine to move into such a place!

    Love all the pictures. Last but not the least, You pretti-fy it and make it two notches hotter!!

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  78. I like the one 'that has seen better days'! I live in an area of very mixed aged houses and it keeps it interesting ! I like to imagine what the area was like when certain houses were built! I have never been to Walsall, maybe I will come to have a look around!

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  79. I really enjoyed your neighbourhood tour. I am that nosey person who looks at houses on Right Move in neighbouring houses for decorating ideas! (they usually disppoint, but with the idd gem to justify it). And your house is so lovely, what great history. I am glad you are respecting it with retro!! Hee hee.

    P.s I love the shortie skirt and booties, gorgeous madam! Xx

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  80. I thoroughly enjoyed this jaunt around your neighborhood!! such awesome and interesting houses!!
    And you are a vision in your leopard!!

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  81. Your neighborhood is as enchanting as you are. I love old buildings, so this tour and your photos are a treasure.

    I adore the leopard pieces worn by the lovely tour guide.

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  82. What a lovely tour into your neighbourhood. Just perfect for photos! I loved the captions too!:) Hope you enjoyed the fun weekend. -xx

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  83. Loved those houses..especially the very unloved one! Enjoyed catching up with the older post about June's shop..I never knew she had been a model! Have a good week. Lizzie

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  84. Hey Vix , Loved taking that walk around your suburbia with you ! Really enjoyed seeing it all . The pub was fun . ;) Interesting it was talking about those days with my old , now gone, crazed boyfriend that was so bonkers over Judas Priest ~ fun to know the little tidbit about that house being in your hood too. Very cool place you live in !

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  85. That neighborhood tour is mind boggling. Coming from Australia that age of architecture is extraordinary and other worldly. What a warm, inspirational place. Ps love seeing you in short dresses - show off the pins!

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  86. Thanks for the tour around the hood! Love the photos and all the houses and buildings are so unlike anything you'll find in Texas!

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  87. Ah, great to see you in this outfit. Unusual to your usual styles, but still completely you. I love everything with leopard pattern and am looking for a coat like this for years now. Hope I will find one someday as well :)
    You look fabulous as always!

    Lots of lovely greetings from Austria,
    Saperlotte

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  88. Enjoyed this tour of your neighbourhood - what gorgeous houses! Love your leopard coat and boots xx

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  89. Loved the tour of your neighborhood, a nice virtual adventure.
    Beautiful coat! Thanks for linking up.

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  90. I lived at the Cremlin 68 Highgate rd from 1962 till my parents sold it in the 1980s. My dad was very adamant that there was no connection to the Kremlin in Moscow as the date of construction predates the political agenda and the spelling is different. Nice pictures bring back memories of my time there. I think we kept the original name from the wooded gates as a momento. Many thanks John.

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix