First of all I had a really lovely 'staycation' this summer. I had hoped to get to Ireland to see friends but unfortunately by the time I was able to book flights they'd gone up to silly prices. So I stayed at home.
I spent one day at Castle Acre Priory. I'd called in there a few months ago and walked around the edge but this time I was able to go in and took the audio tour which was fascinating.
On another day I walked with a friend from Dedham to Flatford Mill along the Suffolk/Essex border to visit the RSPB Wildlife Garden which is almost next to the National Trust tearooms at Flatford.
It's a really lovely garden, free entry and had lots of information and activities for children.
After we'd left there we did the obligatory walk up to Willy Lott's House as made famous by John Constable's The Haywain.
I also spent a day in London with Celia, when we visited Dulwich Art Gallery and the Ravilious Exhibition. It was wonderful. Such detail and such light in his pictures. It's finished now but there are still some images of his work on the gallery website here.
The next week I drove down to Bexleyheath to visit The Red House - a house commissioned by William Morris and designed by his friend Philip Webb.
We took the tour, which was really interesting and then wandered around a bit more after lunch.
If you're interested, like I am, in the Arts and Crafts movement it's a wonderful day out. (Celia went a few months ago and has more photos and information about it on her blog which I can recommend reading)
After we'd left there we did the obligatory walk up to Willy Lott's House as made famous by John Constable's The Haywain.
I also spent a day in London with Celia, when we visited Dulwich Art Gallery and the Ravilious Exhibition. It was wonderful. Such detail and such light in his pictures. It's finished now but there are still some images of his work on the gallery website here.
The next week I drove down to Bexleyheath to visit The Red House - a house commissioned by William Morris and designed by his friend Philip Webb.
We took the tour, which was really interesting and then wandered around a bit more after lunch.
Isn't this ceiling stunning!
And finally (for now) my new chair covers came this week, 2 weeks earlier than they'd originally said, so the 2nd hand very traditional chair now looks rather different and has already been given the feline seal of approval!
8 comments:
You've had some lovely days out. I think it's better to stay at home sometimes and visit places within driving distance, we often miss out on gems which are quite close to home. It looks like your puss approves of the new covers.
Love those covers.
Well it looks as if you have had a great "stay-cation" to me! I love your new chair cover!!
What fabulous places to visit. Thank you for the tour. Love the covers too.
I saw part of a programme that toured the Morris house, which fascinated me; I was unaware that tours are available for the public.
You seem to have had a lovely stay-at-home time, thank you for letting us see where you went.
I forgot to say that I like your chair cover very much!
Su, everything you've show us in this post interested me so much!
Staycations can be so enjoyable. And so can seeing how other folks spent their staycations.
I do envy you and Celia having been able to visit the Ravilious exhibit and thank you for giving the link to the Gallery with curator's mini lecture video. Seeing 100 of those watercolors must have been grand!
I smiled to see the picture of Willy Lott's House, remembering my having seen the V&A Constable exhibit last fall with UK friends.
There are many books about William Morris on my bookshelves and yet I've never been to the Red House. Some day....
Your newly dressed armchair is delightful. How comforted you must be that the resident feline critic is pleased.
xo
Oh the 'new' armchair looks fabulous Su. Job well done!
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