The last trip of summer

It was the last chance for me to take for a summer day trip today. It's a two hour drive out to the Suffolk coast but I couldn't resist. Suffolk is a beautiful county. Remarkably unspoilt - reminiscent of England 50 years ago. I love the beautiful big skies, delightful villages, and all the lovely independent shops. Very tempting! After weeks of rain the sun shone and I did a whistle stop tour of all my favourite places - Aldeburgh, Southwold and Walberswick.

Pretty coastal cottages...

The tiny Picture Palace in Southwold... 

and very tempting shops...

I love the Home and Garden shop at Snape Maltings...

Bushey Rose Garden

After years of neglect the once beautiful rose garden in the village has been restored to glory thanks to Lottery funding. The garden is historically important to the village and is in the English Heritage Register of gardens of special historic interest. It was originally created in 1913 by the famous landscape gardener Thomas Mawson. Before it was a garden the Victorian artist Hubert Von Herkomer ran an art school on the site. It was wonderful to see it brought back to life and local people enjoying the grounds once more. The new planting needs to mature and by next summer there should be a wonderful floral display. I couldn't be happier that this garden has been restored.

This beautiful seven foot bronze panel of Lululaund was designed by Herkomer and was originally in his nearby house of the same name (named after his wife Lulu). The original was stolen in 1967 so this is a replica. 

Swanky shed

Spent an exhausting day yesterday trying to get up my new sentry box style shed in between the rain showers. My thumbs are sore from all the drilling! It was getting dark when I finally finished the paint work in my favourite Farrow and Ball Light Blue no 22. I think it needs a finishing decorative touch - maybe a sign or a wicker heart. What do you think?

 I've also painted the windows at the back of my cottage in the same colour. I think it's the perfect shade of blue/grey.

Hastings Old Town

I fancied a trip to the coast today (got to make the most of summer weather) and where better than East Sussex? I haven't been to Hastings for a couple of years and it was fascinating to see how the Old Town has become such a fashionable area - like Brighton 20 years ago. Some great interiors, galleries and antiques shops and some very gentrified back streets.

 

What a beautiful display - a garden designer lives here!

I stopped by in Robertsbridge on the way. A delightful ancient village with some wonderfully preserved medieval houses. 

Love the colour pop the green woodwork gives these pretty cottages!

Many famous people have lived in Robertsbridge including writer Hilaire Belloc, cricketer WG Grace, John Wesley founder of Methodism, and actor Edward Woodward.