Birthday treat and an unexpected surprise

Yesterday was my birthday and I had such a lovely day. John took the day off work and we headed up to Suffolk to a National Trust property - Ickworth House and Rotunda, a Georgian Italianate palace set in the idyllic English landscape of East Anglia.

The eccentric first Earl of Bristol was passionate about Italy and envisioned building a stupendous monument to folly which led to the creation of this remarkable Rotunda.

We've been before and seen the wonderful collection of paintings, portraits, fine sculptures and furniture. But it was the newly established "Ickworth Lives" project which took our fancy. The Rotunda basement has been restored as it would have been at the turn of the century and gave us a sense of what life was like for servants and estate workers up until the 1930s.

First, the kitchen which was the hub of the household and where the cook would have produced meals for the upstairs household and stream of many guests as well as those living downstairs.

where shoes were meticulously cleaned for their owners in the adjoining scullery.

I do believe that is a knife sharpener on the table too.

Possibly the Butler's bedroom

and the Housekeeper's parlour

I have to own up to the fact that I learnt to type on a typewriter not dissimilar to this, way back in the 1960s - to the tune of 'William Tell'. Now that really dates me!

I learnt to sew at school on a hand sewing machine like this too.

The grounds were stunning

and the formal gardens beautiful

But all too soon it was time to leave.

We went out to dinner in the evening with our children and grandchildren to a restaurant called The Boatyard in Leigh on Sea, where we sat overlooking the local fishing boats moored in the harbour and the River Thames beyond. I was thoroughly spoiled with some wonderful pressies, cards, flowers etc and enjoyed my day tremendously.

Just when I thought that things couldn't get better - I had a wonderful surprise this morning - I passed my exams!! Woohoo! Such a lovely feeling and now can't wait to start my final year in September - studying Renaissance Art.  (Remind me of that when I'm tied to my computer this winter and complaining that I've too much to do!!).

See you soon

Patricia x

Return to blogland - return to Stratford

I just want to say thank you to all who sent such lovely messages regarding the eye surgery I had eleven days ago. Your kind thoughts and good wishes meant such a lot and helped me get through what was a very daunting and frustrating time. I won't go into details but some have asked why I had to posture 'face down'. Well at the end of the surgery I had to have a gas bubble inserted into my eye which when facing down helps to heal the hole in my macular.

Although I have finished my posturing, the gas bubble will very gradually disappear over the next 8-10 weeks during which time I am virtually blind in that eye until the bubble goes away.  Driving and trips out on my own are a definite no no for the time being.

Anyway enough of that. I have tried to keep up with all your lovely posts and apologise if I have missed anything.

I don't know if anyone remembers that in January we went on a lovely walk through the East End of London which took us to the Olympic site. A pretty walk which took us along the towpaths of the local canals which you can find here

It was lovely to view at such close quarters but as it was still a bit of a building site, I really wanted to see it now that it's been landscaped and planted with trees, plants etc. especially with the run up to tonight's Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Well,  for my first trip out Hubby took me on the same walk. We are only about 30 miles from Stratford by train and the weather was fine so anticipated getting a spectacular view.

Not so, everything in East London around the Olympic Park is closed to traffic, closed to the public, walkways were diverted, security guards and police patrolling the roads,  barbed wire fencing and electric fencing barracaded all possible areas leading up to the site!

So - this was the closest we could get to the park and not a tree or plant in sight! It was such a disappointment which left us feeling pretty disgruntled.

However, the part of the walk we did manage to do was still enjoyable. This enormous replica of the Olympic torch was a total surprise and towers over the surrounding area.

And we found some lovely old building tucked away around corners and alongside

the canals near Stratford

Including this original Custom House which dates back to the 19th century

And of course I couldn't forget about my favourite Lock keeper's cottage

Looking forward to watching the Opening Ceremony tonight - a once in a lifetime event not to be missed and if you're watching - enjoy it too.

By for now

Patricia x

France ... continued

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my last post about France, I really do appreciate them and apologise for not replying personally. Things are a bit hectic in my life at the moment as you will see later.

Whilst staying in the Dordogne area of France we visited the remarkable village of Rocamadour. Journeying up twisting ever-ascending lanes, the view of this eclectic almost vertical village assaults you. Hewn from the rock itself, dominating the turbulent river below.

Rocamadour is more than simply an enchanting site that provides the wild setting for greenery, nature and light. It is more about the captivating beauty of this magical place that gives the Diocesan Sanctuary at the very top of the village a very special character.

Saying goodbye to the Dordogne Valley we moved on towards the Languedoc area in the south and to a much awaited visit to the medieval walled city of Carcassonne with its fairytale-like quality of cone topped turrets and serrated cream coloured battlements.

We stayed for three nights and our hotel was within the walls of the city being
 one of three renovated medieval houses and giving us plenty of access to explore the lovely sights to be found, wandering along the ancient cobbled lanes founded by the Romans and trodden over the centuries by the Visigoths, Saracens and rich medieval merchants.

I loved this stone staircase which led us up to our room

And the gardens were wonderful where we sat for breakfast each morning

After dinner we would walk along the Ramparts around the city walls 

where we viewed the spectacular sunsets over the Bastide area of Carcassonne

All too soon it was time to return from our holiday but we have some lovely memories to look back on.

So it's back to reality and now I am preparing to go to hospital on Monday for major eye surgery to repair a macular hole in my right eye which has caused me to lose my central vision. I had this done last year on my left eye so know the procedure and although the surgery is not pleasant (I'm awake throughout) it's afterwards that is more daunting as I have to maintain a posture of face down for about 40 minutes in every hour 24/7 for about seven days which can be both draining and frustrating to say the least.

However, I haven't yet read all your lovely posts since my holiday so intend to indulge myself by reading and catching up with you all on my iPad as I can look down at it on my lap. More information can be found here if anyone is interested. I'll try and keep you updated during the next week.

Bye for now

Patricia

Bon Jour - and a little taster of France

I really can't believe that I've been back from France for several days now and haven't got around to writing and saying hello to you all. Thank you so much for all your lovely comments and wishes before I went away.  My feet haven't touched the ground since we've been home. Anyway I thought I'd share a few photos of my holiday over the next few days.

We flew to France and made our way to the Dordogne Valley where we stayed at the picturesque market town of Sarlat for four nights, where the narrow twisting alleys are lined with 13th century buildings made from the local luminous golden stone.

Sarlat is the capital of the Perigord Noir and is a remarkably conserved Medieval city. Strolling through the small streets and alleys in the historical centre you are seemingly transported centuries back into a past full of glorious memories.

The architecture was out of this world.

The flowers were gorgeous

 

And the street lamps ornate

 

The surrounding countryside has hauntingly beautiful landscapes. Deep twisting gorges, lined by craggy cliffs with castles and turrets. It was magical and like something out of fairyland.

 

I hope you enjoyed this little taster and will update our travel blog tomorrow.

Bye for now

Patricia