Bircham Windmill, Norfolk

This is a very unusual windmill. It is owned by a family. Built in 1846 and lovingly restored in 1970.

Not only do Stevie and Elly mill the flour but they also have a bakery on site where they make an amazing variety of breads.

They also have classes where they teach both children and adults how to make bread and a gift shop where I

 bought a lovely teapot to add to my collection.

They also have a great play area for children with sheep, goats, guinea pigs and rabbit for the children to handle.

The home made cakes in the tearoom were good too.

They also  ran a holiday cottage seen here on the right

There where six floors accessed by six separate ladders which got narrower the higher up one went.

I have to admit that after climbing this ladder I felt it was not a good idea to attempt another five with Sciatica issues.

So Alan went up and took these photos.

My only disappointment was that he did not go outside onto the platform (he's good with heights) when at the top to take photos of the surrounding countryside.

Whoever got to the top had their photo taken when they returned and it was put into an album. Alan had no intention of going back which was quite understandable for his 85 years. 

Stanhoe Village, Norfolk

There's always something worth stopping the car for in our countryside

The Village Pond

The Old Post Office - now somebody's house

Bircham Village, Norfolk

This tea-room in Bircham Village was recommended to us by folk in Burnham Market where we were staying.

It is close to Amner Hall, the country residence of Prince William and his wife Kate.

Apparently she is known to drop in for coffee on occasion

It was very quiet when we were there late afternoon but apparently very busy breakfast and lunch time.

I have to say the Lemon cake was delicious

The smell of the cakes being baked for the next day whetted one's appetite too

The King Hotel and Pub opposite

The Village store, again visited by Kate

and flowers growing out of a chimney

There was an interesting working windmill close by but I'll leave that for another post. 

October in the Garden Amongst Other Things

We have just had our house painted grey.

I have had grey on my mind for a long time and it had finally got to the point where we could leave it no longer as the old paint was peeling off in places.

Then suddenly everywhere we look houses are being painted grey. 

It seems grey is a current popular colour not only for the outside of houses but also inside walls and furnishing.

The old garage door is soon to be completely renovated. We are having the wall bricked up and putting a window in and eventually a wooden floor. It's never been used as a garage but a very handy store room and part office.

So as we already have an integral door into the hall this change will make a big difference.

So, garden news - sadly we are in the process of destroying all of my Box shrubs that I have in pots.

They are suffering from Box Blight that is rife in the country.

I have nurtured them as topiary fro a very long time.

So empty pots abound. I am planning to plant four patio shrub roses in the four largest pots and have been re-potting my herbs into the smaller ones. It does not feel quite as bad if I can make good use of the pots.

The dreaded Box Blight

We are progressing with the removal of shrubs down the left hand side and hopefully it will not be too long before the area is turfed.

I'm looking forward to a lot less work next year.

I need to sort this before I hit 80!

On a lighter note a little colour from today's garden

Life has been hectic with indoor bathroom renovations, outside painting and re-planning the garden on top of general living but I do want to visit my blogging buddies to see what everyone has been up to recently.

Burnham Deepdale and Brancaster, Norfolk

We are visiting Burnham Deepdale here and just having a stroll around the marshes. 

and back through Burnham Overy where the windmill has been turned into holiday accommodation

We can see here the level to where the water rose during the floods of 1955

The old Mill

and now visiting Brancaster - one of my favourite beaches

I need to work through my Norfolk photos which were taken in May. I would not have had a problem if I had used my camera for all photos but most were taken on my i-pad which is so much easier at the time but not for linking with a PC. I am having to do it through i-cloud.

Sandringham, The Norfolk Estate of the Queen, Part 4

In part 4 of posting on Sandringham I'll take you into the Carriage museum which shows the many different kinds used by the Royal family over many, many decades.

A mixture of State and personal vehicles

The State Landau

Just look at that carpet!

The following 4 miniature cars were gifted to the Royal children

(from the makers I think)

Invalid carriages through the ages

and the estate fire engines

and lastly the telephone switchboard

Hope you found them interesting