Thursday 3 June 2010

Whistle stop tour of a few days in East Anglia (Even longer than the very long post)

This is a long post..you'd be forgiven ...etc......
(Don't forget you can enlarge the pictures by clicking)
DAY ONE: Ely
Train from Norwich to Ely to meet Julie of Mixed Media, Wendy of Emmelines Place and later Emma (At last!) of Silver Pebble.
Clever Julie knew about this amazing textile exhibition at the Babylon Gallery right on the river bank and right next to Peacocks tea rooms which Emma had suggested as a meeting point.

So here are some of the fantastic exhibits but unfortunately I can't remember all the artists' names.There is a link to their website here
The first thing we saw was this gorgeous felt by Maria Therese Fernandez. Huge and amazing.













Then pieces using layering and slashing of sheer fabrics.













All the works were based on the River Thames and the regeneration of the Isle of Dogs.



























Some stupendous rust and indigo dyed and stitched pieces









and outside the window the sun glinted on the river and boats.













Beautiful.
All in the company of lovely friends.













Julie and Wendy outside Peacock's tearoom.
It was lovely to meet them and they were extremely patient with me as Julie held the door open for the tea room lady carrying a big tray and I, with an inflated sense of my own importance, barged through not noticing the poor woman laden with a heavy load.
Later Emma came along and it was great to meet her after two previous failed attempts..
When we parted I went to the Cathedral and was overwhelmed with the amazing work in every possible medium.
The sun shone through the stained glass and coloured the walls.

















I had a stiff neck from looking up.













I particularly liked the pigs carved around this doorway.

















 Then I made my way along the river to get the train back to Norwich .













DAY TWO: Southwold
Somewhere I've wanted to visit for a while. Unfortunately the weather wasn't brilliant but here are a few pictures of this typical English seaside town.













The famous beach huts which change hands for vast sums of money.
They didn't seem so desirable on this day buffeted by wind and rain..decidedly chilly.













After a bit of a walk down the pier the obligatory tea room visit.













We saw some strange Morris/Country dancing in the streets. Not without its charm but in no way traditional.













And here's the cinema...














Quaint?

DAY THREE: Aldeburgh
Home of the Benjamin Britten Festival and a very busy place on a Bank Holiday weekend.
We parked the car by the shingle and I noticed that all the gulls were standing facing away from the sea.













What were they thinking?













Then I had an idea..I opened the window and threw a few scraps of oatcake out and sure enough...
























....and down they all settled again watching the parked cars.
The weather improved so we walked and watched the sun make patterns ..


















and just enjoyed the goings on on the beach.













At the other end of town we enjoyed the Britten memorial sculpture.













It has given me a bit of an idea for a piece I'm working on.













Then the light changed and we had to get another picture..













and big bonus...look!












Can you just see the rainbow?
What a treat.

DAY FOUR: Everywhere
Well, I drove out of Norwich on my own, with no idea really of where I was going as my husband was working and he's the one with the sense of direction.
If you imagine the coast of Norfolk as a clock. I drove via Holt to five to twelve...Morston, and had a walk.

Then I continued my tour right around to three o' clock. Martham, where I headed back towards Norwich. Quite by chance I found the street where the colleague my husband is working with lives, so I parked the car and made contact! I wasn't going to go any further and brave the ring road when I was about half a mile from our accommodation! My husband rescued me. I think he was quite surprised I'd got as near as I had.
The plan had been to abandon the car on a car park and find it later together.
So here are a few of pictures from my day out.

Walcott (I know because I asked)

















The place I liked the best was

















Spelt 'Happisburgh', pronounced 'Hazeboro'
But how would you know?
I must have read it somewhere.
Now this place is so pretty but is in danger of falling into the sea. The cliffs are sandy and sheer and eroded and this is how you get onto the beach.













Across the bridge balanced precariously on the cliff edge to this structure in high wind.













All along the beach are the inadequate sea defences which will ultimately fail.






















But for now the caravans and tents on the cliff top perch as far away from the edge as the site will allow.














On the beach I spotted activity and being the nosey Parker I am I asked what they were doing and was treated to an explanation of all that was going on by the Archeologist.. he was extremely knowledgable and willing to explain all. Quite a crowd gathered to listen and two women told me they'd wondered but didn't dare ask.
See? I'm so nosey.










It seems they have found a River bed under the sand which once upon a time joined with the Rhine and are now searching for signs of human occupation from thousands of years ago.













Lovely Happisburg.

DAY FOUR: Home by train.
From the window I saw a hare, a lot of piggies, a little group of pheasants in the corner of a lettuce field unaware that just a few yards away a large red fox was heading towards them.
Train travel is such fun and you meet so many nice people .
But there are the others.....
iphones tstssttt ttstsssttt sttststssing away all around me. But only when I changed in Manchester.

I have some lovely mementoes of my trip.
A lovely seascape postcard made by Julie with fabulous fabrics.



Emma had persuaded the Peacocks tea room lady to sell her one of the gorgeous china cups from the dresser and  just as we left she tucked it into my bag. 
Its absolutely lovely and I had been admiring it so kind generous Emma had realised that and made it mine.. What a sweetie.
 
Isn't it lovely?
She also gave me a lovely book which is still in Norwich with my husband who has most of my luggage to bring home in the car.
Talking of home...

In this sunny weather I am enjoying the garden and hadn't  realised before that the overly vigorous Clematis Montana has the most beautiful scent in the early evening. 

For two years we have had grey wet gloomy summers so I had almost forgotten how nice it is to potter.
(This post has taken me about an hour and a half with this new upload system. I'd got used to the old version where you could upload a lot of pictures and fit the text in after)
I'll finish with a picture of something I received a few weeks ago. Its a card from Jenny . I'm delighted and also very impressed with the piece and so delighted to have received it. 


Oh its nice to travel but its good to be home.










43 comments:

Kim said...

Welcome back! Sounds like you had a lovely time, the photos are certainly terrific. Not quite as good as being there, but nice anyway!

mo said...

thank you for sharing this wonderful journey with us!

Penny said...

What a lovely trip, love the cup, but best of all your beautiful house

Gifelt said...

Che belle foto!
Giulia

Guzzisue said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time :-) I'm curious about the Morris Dancers, did you by any chance catch a name?

ju-north said...

We feel as if we made the trip with you! If we get the weather you can't beat some of the lovely villages and scenery here. Enjoy the sun!

Marigold Jam said...

Thanks for taking us with you. I lived in Southwold nearly 60 years ago and it doesn't look so different to how I remember it! Loved your little treasures too the seascape, postcard and your lovely cup. It is good that you enjoyed yourself but that you were glad to be home afterwards and who wouldn't your house looks lovely.

Jane

MrsP said...

Blimey O'Riley! You had a lovely week!! Lovely photos and memories too...Jx

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Lovely post ... I didn't want it to end. So glad you had a grand day out with good blog buddies. I love Julie's seascape and the teacup from Emma is gorgeous. I heard all about it on Julie's blog too. The textiles at the top are incredibly inspiring too. Thanks for sharing your incredible week :o)

Celia Hart said...

What a fabulous trip down to our corner of the world. looks like you had a wonderful time - and managed to navigate Norfolk too!

Celia
x

JP said...

a lovely post - glad you had a great time - Ely is wonderful isn't it - di you take a tour - the lady chapel is so amazing isn't it? - shame about all those headless statues!!!

Chris Gray said...

..lovely gallery pics...

..sounds like you had a good time!


...and I'm sure you'll enjoy your tea out of THAT cup :-)

Fiona said...

What a lovely description of your holiday. But, but...you must have almost passed my door. Will you be coming to Norfolk again?

Gifelt said...

All!
Giulia

Karen said...

great post, some amazing textiles too! It's good to have you back though. My mums mother came from that corner of England and i am sure I have built sandcastles on those beaches many , many moons ago!

WendyCarole said...

sounds like you had a great time love the photos

menopausalmusing said...

What a lovely trip Jackie. I particularly liked the Cathedral photos and of course, the cup! This was a smashing post, thank you. :O)

Patty said...

I love to see posts like this one-
artists exploring new territory. It
gives me the interesting visuals.
Thanks for the lovely photos!

ArtPropelled said...

What a great trip! I got the feeling I had when travelling in Britain. Love the Thames piece at the exhibition. Wish you knew who the artist is.

Sue said...

What a lovely interesting and funny post Jackie, I had no trouble at all reading right to the end and still wishing there was more. Norfolk is one of my most favourite places and lucky for me, I am going there in only eleven days as a reward for all the Grandma-ing I have been doing :-) Lovely Happisburgh, it is a beautiful spot. Did you know there is a lovely arts and crafts house there, and Barbara Hepworth also loved the area. Nice to have you back.

Julie said...

What a wonderful post Jackie, I really enjoyed it and your view of our day out (I've pinched the photo of Wendy and I. I hope that's all right?). Isn't Emma lovely? And how thoughtful of her to give you the yellow cup.

I've always wanted to go to Southwold too and I love your photos of the Maggie Hambling sculpture at Aldeburgh. Well done you for exploring on your own too and finding your hubby again :o)

I didn't realise the Montana had a perfume. Mine has finished flowering now so I will have to wait for next year .

Julie said...

I think the Morris team may have been http://www.pigdyke.co.uk/ Pig Dyke Molly (not sure why the girl's jacket says Holly, maybe that's her name!)

A time to dance said...

what wonderful photographs Jackie, it looks like a lovely holiday, I fancy going to Norfolk... we have been lazy over here, but good news Pete has landed a fab job...I must catch up and fill you in...an answer to prayers

Twiglet said...

Great photos of your super break. The textile work looked brill and I love your card and little seascape.

Heather said...

Fantastic post Jackie - glad you had such a lovely time. Your photos are great and brought back many memories for me of holidays in Aldeburgh and visits to Southwold. The exhibition and cathedral look fabulous and the fabric postcard, teacup and felt card are all beautiful. I love Clematis Montana too but have to guard ours from my husband who likes pruning things into neat shapes!

vintagerockchick said...

Sounds like a wonderful break Jackie, thanks for sharing it. x

Robin Mac said...

What a fantastic holiday and thanks for all the lovely photos so we could feel we were there with you. Ely cathedral looks so inspiring. Cheers, Robin

silverpebble said...

Well, it was a great treat to meet you finally and sorry it was foreshortened by those blasted railway barriers. I crossed them again today - annoyingly open and working they were.

I just wish we could have had more gossiping time. Thankyou, though for the couple of precious hours of your company Jackie
x

Jill said...

Great post - know several of the spots, never a chore to share a great photo journey.

Chriss said...

What a lovely post. The chances of me visiting England are slim to none and it is wonderful to see these real glimpses of the coutry and the goings on. Thanks heaps.

Gina said...

Lovely post and so sorry to have missed you in Ely. That Maggi Hambling sculpture is one of my favourites!

ArtPropelled said...

I've just been enlarging the exhibition pieces. Such gorgeous work! Thanks so much for the link, Jackie.
BTW I love your teacup.This is such a lovely post to return to. Love the spiral staircase too.

Aileen Clarke Crafts said...

Just a thought re the Transfer Paints, it was commercial fleece I used not wool fleece. You know the type used for kids blankets and stuff. I bought a big blue fleece blanket from Ikea to cut up for nappy liners and still had a huge piece left which comes in handy for all sorts of projects. That's interesting about the plastic fibres though......ooo the possibilities!
Love all the photos in this post. Will get a chance to read later. Going off to another of my fave towns today. I'm so spoilt this week : )

Rosie said...

Yes it's good to be home here too - amazing pictures and love that cup. Sounds like a very special trip ...

sweetypie said...

oiy you cheeky! those morris dancers were the famous black dyke mollies, I am seeing julie tomorow I will tell her about them and she can tell you, glad you had a nice time!

Dee / Cloth Company said...

what a lovely travelogue! and it is interesting to see elements of your work in the things that you chose to photograph... the great textures, the swirling shapes in some. Thanks!

Catherine said...

Hi - I found your blog and it's lovely - photos of the eroding coastline are scary though, I remember reading about this part of England and how the sea's wearing it away. I like crafts too - though I just knit and used to cross-stitch and crochet and sew clothes, but time's not enough now for much of that. Will follow your blog, and hope you follow mine. I always reply to comments on the post that's commented on - so please reply and I will respond if you comment on any of my posts!
All the best, Catherine.

Catherine said...

Hi - I found your blog and it's lovely - photos of the eroding coastline are scary though, I remember reading about this part of England and how the sea's wearing it away. I like crafts too - though I just knit and used to cross-stitch and crochet and sew clothes, but time's not enough now for much of that. Will follow your blog, and hope you follow mine. I always reply to comments on the post that's commented on - so please reply and I will respond if you comment on any of my posts!
All the best, Catherine.

jennyflowerblue said...

You are very welcome! Thanks for showing those amazing pics of your trips. I too am drawn to those at the top of your post. I am amazed anew at the work some produce, and the obvious 'art' of it.

jackie said...

What a fantastic trip - lucky you. I went to a book bindery for nearly a year, but I mostly learned how complex the whole process is. My books were far from perfect, but something like coptic bind is possible to learn from a book, although frustrating along the way you would work it out.

The Coffee Lady said...

Is it very shallow to be most excited by the cream scones?

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I saved this post to read when I had a little time to savour it. It looks like you had a delightful time. Thank you for sharing it with us! I really enjoyed seeing the photos - almost like being there.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post. I feel as if Iv'e been on holiday! So many great pictures to spark off ideas. The scones also look good. Pity they haven't invented a sort of blog doggy bag!



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