Flatford Mill and the Artist John Constable

Last week we took a trip to Flatford Mill in Dedham Vale. Less than an hours drive from home and famous for being the place where John Constable, the famous English painter, lived and did most of his paintings. The following link will give you lots of history and information if you are interested.

John Constable 1776-1837 was a Master of English Landscape painting in the romantic style. As well as being known for his painting in the open air, he is also known for his depiction of reflections on water and light on clouds.

http://www.britainexpress.com/History/bio/constable.htm

This painting of Constable's looks across the fields to the village of Dedham and one can just see the church on the horizon.

Here is the same scene today and like with all the paintings, the trees have grown in the years between painting and photo.

Bridge Cottage now houses a museum and the whole area is now managed by The National Trust.

The back of the cottage overlooking the river stands next to a restaurant, also run by the Trust where we had a delicious Cottage Pie with Salad.(Lamb and vegetables with a potatoe topping covered in grated cheese,not a pastry crust) for the uninitiated.

This is the back of the old Granary which is now a private house offering bed and breakfast with rooms that open out right into the garden on the riverside. We both thought we might like to spend a couple of nights there as the area is popular with walkers.

The front of The Granary. This was once owned by John Constable's Father, but the family lived in East Bergholt, a couple of miles down the road.

We are now looking at the dry dock featured in John's paintings showing the original timbers. And here is the painting.

We digress from the front of the buildings to again look at the back of The Mill from across the river.

Back across the bridge onto the road

Where we see the front of the Mill which is now used for painting courses

We now come to the exact spot where the famous picture The Hay Wain was painted.

The painting

Willie Lott's cottage which became famous as a result of being included in the painting

The Hall used for accommodation during painting courses

Having walked around Flatford we did a 3 mile circular walk which took in the village of Dedham half way round. (you may remember my post on our visit to Dedham last November.) I'll keep the walk for another post and hope that you will come with me.

Moments with Sara Pt.4

Seen here on the Saturday before Sara and CT embarked on their wonderful tour of England and Wales. Jane and family came over for the day as Jane being a blogger too, she and Sara wanted to meet.


Deep in conversation while 6 week old Rebekah gets a cuddle from Sara

Grandma makes a Daisy chain for Oliver

With family gone Sara and I were relaxing after a long day when at about 9.0 pm on the evening before Sara left I realised that we did not have a photo of the two of us together. Every minute of our time had been taken up with getting to know each other, chatting and visiting the area that we almost missed this opportunity.

So, at a time of night when the last thing we wanted was to have a photo taken, we came up with this, one and only, taken in the pale evening light.

Sara will be posting many pictures of her visit to England over the coming weeks and has aleady posted a little taster.

As afternoon tea features a lot in our life in England, this was the Buttercream and Vanilla sponge that graced our last afternoon together in my home.

On the Friday afternoon (the previous day) I had the opportunity to take Sara out to Pilgrims Hall for a tour of the house and grounds and to meet the members of team that were on duty at the time. I did not take my camera (although I did take a picture of Sara in the grounds with her camera)

A couple of days later I was out there myself (with my camera this time) and took some random photos of areas of the grounds that I had not previously shown you amongst the numerous pictures that you can see by clicking on "Pilgrims Hall" in the sidebar.

So do come and walk around with me and we will then have afternoon tea in the dining room. This is a new venture we have just started - running an English tearoom and coffee shop (open to the public) on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Into the house for tea now. One has the choice of sitting outside, or sitting in the flower filled conservatory or as here in the dining room. This was the first day and over 50 people came for tea or a light lunch b ut it is almost closing time now. The cakes are all home made on the premises and are delicious.

Second Week in June

The changing face of the garden

What can be more 'June' than strawberry picking.

Gone are the days when one struggled on hands and knees

Now the strawberries are grown in growbags at chest height