Audley End House

Another visit to an English Heritage Property (thanks to Tesco Clubcard) but not a castle this time!! It is Audley End House and Gardens.

Situated just outside Saffron Walden, this stunning house was adapted from Abbey buildings between 1603 and 1614. It has been extended and adapted on many occasions since then.

A kitchen, laundry, pantry and a dairy
have all been recreated.

One of our favourite features was the 'cloud hedge' which apparently takes 1 gardener 12 days to 'carve' the patterns into the hedge, giving it this stunning 3D effect. It was originally planted to hide the service wing as the 'servants' were not to be seen.

In the kitchen gardens the Elephant Garlic has grown so tall, the tops can only be reached by ladder (probably!)

A view of the front of the house, the Urn is in memory of Polish Soldiers who fought in WW2 and trained nearby.

Pickle and Picklesister had such a good time we are going back at Bank Holiday when Queen Victoria herself is making an appearance.

Honestly!

Woolpit

Woolpit Church.

Woolpit is very exotic, it has Palm Trees.

The Queen Victoria Jubilee Memorial Water Pump, 1897 stands in the centre of the village. There are statues carved around it of other Queens such as Boudica, Elizabeth I and Queen Ann.

Needles...

Picklessister has a new hobby. Photography.
This is my arm, having blood taken today to test if I am still anaemic or whether 3 months of horrid iron tablets have worked. Fingers crossed.....

Goodbye Green Crocs....

...hello Pulse (official Crocs Name)

Yes it will come as sad news to you all (especially David) that my trusty green Crocs have worn out and have been relegated to gardening duty.
The good news is I have a brand new pair which are a red/orange colour (Pulse) and will be coming to a town (or whelk stall) near you soon!

Blog Meet

Time: 14.30 Sunday 3rd August
Location: Secret Pub in Bury St Edmunds
Reason: Bloggers Meet up to bid Farewell to Ruby

Even though many bloggers were on holiday or swimming in some strange location somewhere, a good number of bloggers, commentors and Pickles met up for a little drinky poos on Sunday afternoon.

It was good to catch up with those I had met before - Florries Mum, Bury Boy, Ruby, Cashier No.5 and to meet those I only knew from their blogs - Grumpy Old Woman (who was only 1 of those 3 descriptions!) and Four Pints (who was at least 5 pints when I left) who flew in all the way from Detroit just to be there (maybe).

For those NOT of a nervous disposition Ruby has a photo of us ALL on her blog. You have been warned.

It was a shame to have to leave the get together first but the Pickles were getting restless and Picklesdad was desperate to get home to watch the SKY+ Grand Prix, even though naughty Bury Boy did hint at some of the results!

A good time was had by all, I hope we can manage to arrange another get together one day without Ruby to organise it all for us.

A Picture says it all.....

more cat pictures

Due to popular demand (OK, just Ruby being nosy and Picklesgrandma) here are some photos from inside the new Co-Op store. They were taken on my mobile as I am too embarrassed to take my usual camera in here.

As you enter the store through 2 sets of automatic doors there are loads of trollies. I dread going in on the day they are all in use!

Looking towards the new salad bar and 'dead chickens' as Pickle puts it.

New till area has 3 tills plus......

...a till with conveyor belt.