Holkham Hall, Norfolk - Part 1

Well I have my photos of Holkham Hall in some semblance of order, but not without effort. It looks like Windows has fazed out my usual software and I have to get my head around Windows 10 filing system which is not without it's problems.

I will be taking a few posts to complete this.

If you like architecture, art and paintings and tapestry you will certainly like the photos.

An 18th century masterpiece

As we enter the entrance hall this is the grandeur that we are faced with.

The Hall is a magnificent family home and still very much lived in and a dynamic working estate.

This unusual dining table is put together in sections depending on the size needed 

As we wander around the corridors from room to room there are famous paintings among the tapestries and architecture 

This bedroom had been used by Jules Holland, the Musician a few days before our visit as he had a gig in the grounds

Photographs of the family 

Bookshelves everywhere

The family Chapel

I think 32 photographs are enough for one post so do come back for more!

The Grand Children are Growing Up

I just can't tell you how frustrated I am with 

Windows 10

I have spent a whole afternoon trying to locate my photos for Holkham Hall. Only half are in that file. I have been going through the files on my i-pad and the photos are there. As far as photograph files are concerned on my computer, Windows files them all over the place depending on how it reads the photo image numbers. 

The following recent photographs, which I decided to post on, as it is going to take so long to sort the others, were filed in a file from both 2011 and 2014 when they are in fact 2015.

For quite some years (8 with some), blogging friends have enjoyed following the progress of each others Grand children.

So for now until I can get to SORTING some pictures I am sharing a few recent ones.

Rebekah who is now 6 years old loves her Grandad

Oliver and Rebekah's school photographs from last term. Oliver is now 9 years old.

They both love running and here they are taking part in the children's races after watching their Mother run one of her half marathons  

Golf is another activity and here Oliver is playing early morning

Cycling is another favourite and even Rebekah manages 11 miles cross country.

She is also loving athletics which she is very good at.

On a more relaxing note they are both loving their new kittens now that their older cats have died.

Holkham Hall Village, Pub and Beech, Norfolk.

Holkham Hall is quite an amazing house but I will first show you a few before and after pictures.

Having spent the morning walking around Wells-Next-The Sea (previous post) we needed lunch before our time in the house.

We ate delicious Cottage Pie with sautéed cabbage and green beans

in the Victoria Inn which is owned by the Coke family (Holkham Hall owners) and managed by the Estate.

Above photo courtesy of the website

These muskets were used by Holkham Yeomanry in response to the threat of invasion posed by Napoleon Bonaparte, the French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. 

Holkham village is a small village on the edge of the Estate

and then after spending the afternoon at the Hall I had to visit and take a look at Holkham's beach(which entailed a walk on the board walk through the sweet scented Pinewoods) before driving back to our cottage.

It was early evening and mostly deserted and I could easily have sat until dark it was so peaceful.

The vast red are Sea Sedums which are only visible when the tide is out. 

This place is said to be 'where the sky meets the sea' 

I am sure you will enjoy the Hall which will take at least 3 posts to cover

It's taking a long time to get my holiday snaps together and I am sure that Windows 10 is half the problem with the filing system

Wells-Next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Wells-Next-the-Sea
a fishing and harbour town on the North Norfolk coast



We made a quick visit here on our way to Holkham Hall which is just a couple of miles along the coast

Something different - a boat cafe

where as well as serving seafood they are known for Traditional Dutch Pancakes.

However I found the private Beach of Holkham Hall much more enjoyable.

Will be sharing this in the next Norfolk post before sharing with you the delights of Holkham Hall

Wroxham, Irstead and Neatishead, Norfolk

On the Wednesday of our Norfolk stay in October we decided to do something different to visiting country houses. (more of that later)

We first went to Wroxham which is part of the Norfolk Broads. These broads consist of 188 miles comprising 7 rivers and 63 broads, mostly connecting. 124 square miles are navigable and much used as holiday destinations. 

Considering it was October we were blessed to have another warm and sunny day.

We had a great carvery meal in The Kings Head pub on the waterside

Why I want to photograph a Heron I don't know as we do our best to keep them out of our garden as thgey eat our fish!

We soon decide to drive further up the broad to Irstead where we knew there was a Board Walk down to the water.We find this walkway through the reeds (a pretty long walk in itself) but at the outset did not realise it was about 3 miles away from the car park to a viewing point.

We were nearer the coast and the wind was pretty cool here

Worth it though as we saw these Cormorants  

A beautiful Dragonfly basking in the sun on the way back

Driving through the village of Neatishead on the way back

we passed this community run village store and decided it would be a good place to stop for tea.
These community run stores are quite unusual here and we wanted to give them our custom. 

Also a good opportunity to chat to the locals

Ye Olde Saddlery

The White Horse Inn

Three places visited today so think we need to head back to our cottage.