Sunday 29 June 2014

Out and About in Norfolk



Just returned from a weeks break in Norfolk................


 our holiday cottage.....at the end of a daisy strewn grass track next to a large potato field.......the sunsets were spectacular, the weather warm and sunny except for one wet day


out and about in the Norfolk Broads.........so different seeing it from the road and by foot.

We have only been here before when on boating holidays. We re-visited favourite haunts seeing them from a different perspective.....South Walsham Broad, Malthouse Broad, Ranworth church and the pub........Coltishall, Horning, Wroxham........we've had some lovely holidays on the Broads, the first when Bella was only 3 months old.

Both the north and east coasts were close, and we visited Sheringham, Cromer (fish and chips one evening overlooking the sea - how very British!), Cley next the sea (sweet little village with a wonderful little shop (with parking!) here selling wholesome, healthy foods, olives, nuts, fruit and veg, specialist breads, a deli and lots of lovely fresh stuff for a great picnic and holiday food. Also a great fish shop with dressed crab, smoked fish etc ), Blakeney........so many good places to visit.

We visited lots of National Trust properties for the estate walks........with the dog it was one of the best things to do. A typical day this holiday started with reading in the sunshine in the garden, with the dog and a cup of tea, a leisurely breakfast, then a wander around a small market town or village checking out a few antique and charity shops for the odd bargain and finding a picnic lunch.

Then a drive to a National Trust property for long walks around the estate, through woods and fields, and around lakes, stopping off for our picnic. Some days a pub lunch or drink. Later, a drive to either the north or east coast, a stroll around a seaside village or walk along the beach, and (usually!) an ice cream before heading back home.

Simple pleasures.


Felbrigg Hall - we visited here twice, once without Bella who was spending the day in Norwich with an old school friend.  Lovely walks here, to the Church and around the lake and estate, through fields of sheep and cows (and a bull!) and also beautiful cool woodland walks. There is a stunning walled garden too. 

flowers in the walled garden at Felbrigg Hall


Sheringham Hall

Sheringham Hall and Park - the house is private but there are extensive walks of different lengths throughout the parkland and estate, and even through to the coast and back. There are look out towers, a sensory garden with insect hotel ( I thought of you Jane! ) and wonderful views to the sea.



Blickling Hall - we had a long walk around the huge lake followed by lunch at the pub next to the Hall. Perfect!



It's good to be home too though. We had one wet day in the middle of the week when I was itching to do some sewing or crocheting as we waited for the torrential downpours to stop! 

Do you take sewing/crocheting/knitting away with you on holiday? I have a few times and it never gets touched, as we are usually too busy out and about, but this time I wish I had.

I try to leave it all behind to have a real break and come back refreshed, and first day back I was in the sewing room by 8am and made this Amish inspired cushion from a patchwork piece I sewed last year (or the year before?).



I hand quilted it and added some tiny buttons, then made the back from a recycled indian cotton skirt. So that's another cushion front from my pile of WIPs now finished and waiting to go in my shop.


Thankyou for your comments on my last post, and welcome to my new followers.

A huge "thankyou" too, to those kind folks who added a "like" to my facebook page - in just over a week I went from under 400 to over 500 likes, which all helps in getting traffic to my Etsy shop as well as coming across new people, new businesses and new websites.

Hope everyone has had a good week and are enjoying their weekend - football and Wimbledon, just as well with the unpredictable weather at the moment!

Have a great weekend wherever you are!


17 comments:

  1. It looks and sounds as though you had a wonderful week away, the bug hotel is fantastic isn't it!! They must get lots of different critters visiting. I take crochet away with me and it usually doesn't get touched, but that is a good thing as it means that you are busy enjoying and doing other things, and then you appreciate it all the more when you get home don't you! xx

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  2. Looks and sounds like a wonderful holiday Gill - beautiful pics of enjoyable times and sweet memories, and once again I love your gorgeous cushions, such a gift you have! AND I love that calf in your last set of pics, thanks so much for sharing it all with us, xoJoy

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  3. Oh I just love your site!!! I'm going to find your Facebook page and like it too!!
    It's an absolutely beautiful weekend here in New England....
    Your trip looks heavenly.....oh and I always bring a project....for a few evening stitches or hooks!!!

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  4. Thanks for lovely photographs.

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  5. Beautiful photo's of Norfolk and your family Gill. So far I haven't been to Norfolk yet, but as I can see on your photo's there are enough lovely places to visit.

    Happy week!

    Madelief x

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  6. Looks like you had the perfect holiday! The photos are wonderful...I tend to take embroidery with me on holiday, it packs much better than yarn and is calming to stitch (with sangria!) at the end of a long day in the sunshine with kids. Love your latest cushions, but then again, I always love your cushions! ;-) Chrissie x

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  7. Very pretty there, Gill. It looks like a lovely holiday for your family. I do take hobbies with me on holiday sometimes, usually small crochet projects. It helps me relax after a long day of walking and sightseeing. :)

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  8. What utterly beautiful photos. It looks like exactly the kind of place I would love, and I always take pictures of pretty houses too. I'm on holiday at the moment, in Cornwall, and I do have some knitting with me, I always like to bring something to do, but as you say, often there isn't any time. Glad you had such a good break. CJ xx

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  9. First if all, I love all the pretties in your header. I hope to one day travel. Retirement seems so far away. It will take that long to save the money!

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  10. Fabulous photos! I've never been to Norfolk but it looks like a place well worth visiting! xx

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  11. We really love Norfolk and have had some lovely holidays there. We love going to Blickling Hall and I have used images of it in drawings and designs! Your photos are very beautiful, Gill and make me want to visit again.
    Love your Amish cushion too, a really great effect and colour combination.
    Happy week!
    Helen xox

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  12. We've had some lovely holidays in Norfolk....know it well! Glad the weather stayed sunny for you :) x

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  13. Sounds like you had a fantastic break, there re some lovely photos there. I've never been to Norfolk, it looks such a lovely place.

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  14. What a lovely vacation you had! The cottage looks beautiful! I can't believe the gardens - England has the prettiest gardens, I would love to see them in person some day!

    The pillows are beautiful, I don't know which is my favorite! I'm leaning towards the Amish one though.

    Have a wonderful week!

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  15. Welcome back Gill, looks like you had a lovely week, lots of great photos. I love the Amish cushion, it's gorgeous - clever you. See you soon.
    Jane xx

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  16. Thanks for sharing the lovely pictures. I've just found your blog and enjoyed reading it. I ALWAYS take knitting or crocheting with me on holiday. I usually manage to do at least some of it, especially if we have any car travel to do. Have a look at my blog to see what crochet project I took with me on my recent cruise.

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  17. Gill, wonderful photos. Sounds like you had a great time. I have been to Norfolk once, years ago and would love to go back, it is soo lovely. Your cushions are great, so colourful. Love Linda x

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Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment - I love to read them!
Gill x