Jigsaw Log #9

 

Welcome to a new jigsaw log; hope my readers are doing okay. I have been working on this jigsaw since about November time last year, adding to it here and there. I normally stick to five hundred pieces but decided to challenge myself to one thousand pieces. This one came from The Works, and overall, they are a great place to shop for quality, affordable puzzles.

The Christmas carousel design appealed to me as I wanted something that would feel festive over Christmas time. There’s some lovely detail, making adding different pieces quite interesting, and felt the scale of the picture was just right. After doing this puzzle, I was inspired to learn more about old fashioned fairground rides, such as the carousel featured as well as the time period of the picture. If you are interested, I have recently done a blog post on the history of fairground rides (visit here).

Are you working on a puzzle? 

Or do you have a different pastime you want to share? :-) Xx

The History of Fairgrounds

 

I stumbled across an interesting article of this topic, and began reading further into it on the web. I have included what I learnt, as well as some links and info for further reading, if you find it interests you too.

I found a few fascinating photographs online which I have shared below. I wanted to add some context, so included some photography I took myself back in 2011 when I visited Scarborough funfair. 

Ways fairgrounds have evolved:

• Through the application of steam power and later with the use of electricity. 

• Dodgems evolved into what they are today using an electrical pick-up linked to roof nets above.

• The carousel began with horses that were still; it was only later that engineers found a way through a crank-action the horses appear to gallop.

When the first rides were engineered: 

• The scenic railway was an important development before the first world war.

• The caterpillar was introduced to Britain in the early 1920s.

• The dodgems as we know them today were introduced in Britain in 1928.

• The big wheel with its basic design principles has been around since swings and roundabouts.

Some of the references I found most significant:

‘Giant Wheels have lost their appeal as a thrill ride in the modern fairground. However, they have been sprouting up in every major city in the world, marketed as tourist attractions and geared towards sightseeing; The London Eye is a fine example of this new concept.’

‘Just before the war a few new American novelty rides found their way into Britain. The British showmen quickly adapted these rides to give them unique identities to indicate the thrills on offer through artwork…Sometimes these were inspired by blockbuster films and pop music hits such as Ghostbusters and Thriller.’

‘For many people the fairground is now defined by the thrill and spectacle of the riding machines. These rides have a complex history defined by mechanical capability and cultural and social trends.’

Search term suggestions:

History of the first fairgrounds

List of fairground rides

Vintage fairground rides

Vintage fairground ride artwork

Big wheel Blackpool

History of the dodgems

Articles I used and recommend for further reading:

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/nfca/researchandarticles/fairgroundrides

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/iha-historic-amusement-parks-fairground-rides/heag057-historic-amusement-parks-iha/

https://www.amounderness.co.uk/big_wheel_blackpool_viewed_from_the_tower_c1902.html

https://www.fairground-heritage.org.uk/learning/british-fairground-rides/

https://ezinearticles.com/?A-Brief-History-Of-The-Travelling-Funfair&id=399743

https://www.joylandbooks.com/category_fairs.htm

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/nfca/researchandarticles/pleasuregardensamusementparks

Did this topic interest you?

Do you have any of your own thoughts around this subject? 

:-) Xx

These are a few of my favourite things #15

 

Books:

The A-Z of Mindfulness by Anna Barnes

This is a small coffee table book going through the benefits of mindfulness using each letter in the alphabet. I’m a big fan of Anna Barnes, and she’s done a whole series of mental health books I’m making my way through. There are a few interactive pages in this, one of my favourites include drawing your own imaginary tree, letting new roots grow each day. Some of the topics she covers include walking, nature, kindness and health. It’s a feel-good book that can be read in one sitting.

Protect the Planet by Jess French

This book is one of the world book day releases, they are concise books given out on this special event to encourage new readers. I’ve read a couple now, and would say the content has been great overall. Protect the planet is an introduction to learning about the environment, and the impact humans are having on the earth. I liked that they touched on fast fashion, as well as buying with kindness and other relevant topics.

Life Lessons from the Ocean by Richard Harrington

This book describes itself as ‘soothing wisdom from the sea’, written by a marine biologist who takes his knowledge of the ocean to educate and inspire. He has included all sorts of creatures I’ve never heard of, and describes why they are so great, as well as emphasizing the importance of sea life and biodiversity. 

Create Your Own Happy by Becky Goddard-Hill

After reading create your own calm by the same author, I decided to give this one a go and ended up quite enjoying it. The idea behind it is to provide tools for children (and adults) to learn what makes you feel happy and guide you to build on some appropriate skills. I would recommend this book to anyone seven years or above.

Make Anything Happen by Carrie Lindsey

I was excited to read this one, after giving it as a gift to myself for Christmas. The book covers vision board ideas, goal setting, and a pep talk to help discover what you want to achieve. The ideas on how to create a mood board included specific styling advice as well as showing examples the author had made.

The book is beautifully presented, and I found the layout inspiring. The author delves into her own dreams, and talks the reader through what things worked for her. I love light memoirs, and I felt this is what it was in parts. I enjoyed hearing about her stationery business and her love for horses.

Circuit-Breaker #5 by McCarthy

This was the finale of the comic series; I enjoyed it, and it’s cast of unusual characters. I liked how the writers played with the idea of how humans view artificial intelligence/robots and the story was something different for me. I appreciated the illustrations and colour palette too. Overall, there was some imaginative writing and character design. This was one of the series that got me into comics.

The Adventures of Luna the Vampire #1

This comic includes short, humorous stories about Luna, a very peculiar vampire. I would say the target audience is adults, as children might just not get where the author is going with this.

It’s not something I would normally pick up, but I found I was enjoying it, and can see myself reading the next in the series. I liked the modern illustrations, and the way the makers of the comic broke the mould a little.

Films:

Lucky Christmas 

‘A single mother is devastated when her car is stolen with a winning lottery ticket inside. When she suddenly meets a charming man, her luck may have returned.’

I’ve been on a bit of a Christmas chick flick kick, and wanted to finish with this one. I didn’t realise until later that the main actress originally stared in Saved by The Bell if you can remember that TV Programme. Lucky Christmas is really wholesome, and one of my favourite festive films I watched last year.

Gravity

‘Dr Ryan Stone and Matt Kowalsky are stranded in space with no way to contact Earth after their shuttle is destroyed in the midst of a routine space walk.’

To some this film up in one word, I would say wow! Sandra Bullock does a great job of acting as an astronaut stuck in space and there were some exhilarating moments. One of my favourite films of last year.

Lifestyle

A New Tea Mug

For Christmas I asked for a new tea mug and my Dad bought this one with special quotes and a rainbow inside. It gives me joy every time I use it.

Do any of these book titles appeal to you too?

Have you watched any of the mentioned films? :-) Xx