that was the weekend: three things

1. I've wanted to take the Young Philosopher to Hadleigh Castle for a long time, and we finally did yesterday, on the way to visit my brother and his wife. There's a photograph of the castle ruins on my last post, these Iphone pics were taken on the short walk to get there from the car. I noticed the ruined tower many times over the years when on the train to Southend and idly wondered what it was, but I never visited myself until about eight years ago with the Prof. It's a lovely peaceful place, with a wonderful view across the estuary. I can't believe I lived half an hour away from it all my life and never went there. 

2. Indian food.

3. This song in the car

 

august: ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen

yellow

green

secret

6 o'clock

love is

For the August Break

that was the weekend

Saturday was a quiet day. We got up late. I did some laundry and decluttered and organised the kitchen, where I found I have enough food in stock that we shouldn't need to do a big shop for several weeks. Famous last words, and then the Prof went out for a few essentials and managed to spend £60 anyway - although he did buy me a super pack of Sharpies, reduced to £8 from £24. Bargain! The Prof watched the archery and the shooting part of the Olympics on his laptop. The red button service doesn't work properly on our tv.....despite being a widescreen it seems it's verging on obsolete. I did a little knitting, and we caught up with the new series Containment, I'm liking it so far, it's one of those realistic breakdown-of-society things that I like to terrify myself with for some reason.



On Sunday we went out in Kent for the day. We live on the edge of East London where it converges with Essex, but Kent is very near and the Prof lived there for over twenty years. We both love Kent, and get over there as often as possible. My favourite area is around Stelling Minnis, and that's where we went this time. We stopped off at Chilham, a pretty little village where I love the shop - I came home with a book, a new peg bag and a bar of the most gorgeous honeysuckle soap. Then we drove through the lovely countryside to the Lord Whisky, an animal rescue centre with an attached restaurant that does lovely meals. We forgot to say hello to the resident pig this time.



After dinner, driving through the countryside we called in to see our friends, who were going out that afternoon to an open day at Old Bladbean Stud Gardens so we went with them and spent a happy couple of hours wandering around the garden together, and catching up.



I loved the whites, silvers and blues of this part of the garden, the photographs I took don't do it justice. I bought one of these plants with the ball shaped flower heads, they are much bluer than they look, and the bees love them.









We saw two memorials as we walked around, one to 'Abigail', and this one in front of a Roman style bench. I wonder who the rainbow chaser was?





I love the purple and white flowers behind the bench here.



I think this plant is Eryngium Giganteum, otherwise known as Miss Wilmott's Ghost, named after a 19th century horticulturist who liked to scatter the seed in other people's gardens. 

The gardens were beautiful, definitely worth a visit. They're not too huge, just large enough to spend a pleasant couple of hours, including a stop for tea and cake.







Our friends Brian and Trisha, and my Prof. No photos of me - as usual I was the one behind the camera.

Joining Karen at Pumpkin Sunrise

august: seven, eight, nine

beneath my feet

favourite taste

red

#augustbreak

august: four, five, six

There are a list of prompts that go with the August Break, the photo challenge I usually take part in each August. Sometimes I use them, sometimes not. The prompts are beneath the photos today. The top two photos were taken on our day out in Maldon yesterday, the last one today as I am looking for vegetarian inspiration. I cook meat for the Prof and often end up with something very boring for myself. Favourite vegetarian meals, anyone? 

sweetness

midday

I'm reading...

#augustbreak

august: one, two, three

#augustbreak