There and Back

Kent Was our destination for the week, a converted dairy on the nearest farm to France! (So the war time history said) It was in fact in Reach Court farm in the village of St Margarets-at-Cliffe, Dover. Within a few minutes walk of the famous white cliffs. Having had a good journey, only 130 miles, we settled into our cottage and took ourselves on an exploration of the area, by foot of course.  This was our home for the week. You can just see our red door on the right.  This area around Dover has a large amount of history associated with the second world war in particular, but being close to France, previous invasion attempts as well. We passed numerous reminders of this history on our way to the cliff top/ walk, in the form of posts and notices reminding us of the legacy of the great conflict.  We arrived at the cliff edge and were treated to spectacular views of the coast line including the entrance to Dover harbour, just along the coast.  P...

Fox Fritillary Meadow is an ancient floodplain. It is the largest of four remaining sites for the snake's head fritillary in Suffolk, and it was to here that we booked to visit to see these beautiful wild flowers. Visiting Fox Fritillary Meadow is by prior arrangement only, and visitor numbers are restricted, so we booked some 2 months back for this year. According to Suffolk Wildlife Trust:- The Snake's-head fritillary is a most unusual looking wildflower and the UK's only native fritillary species. When in bloom in spring, this flamboyant wildflower is unmistakable. Its nodding purple and sometimes white flowers have distinctive chequer-board markings resembling a snake’s skin. Before it flowers its presence may be overlooked as the foliage is grass-like, but once in flower it is a spectacular sight, forming a wonderful purple haze across the meadow. The number of local names, including Snake's-head lily, Crowcup, Leper's Bells and Chequered Lily, suggest that...

Minsmere is a great place to spend some hours, which we have done on numerous occasions. Today being one of those days, albeit with large numbers of other people! The Wikipedia entry gives a brief description of the place:- RSPB Minsmere is a nature reserve owned and managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) at Minsmere, Suffolk. The 1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) site has been managed by the RSPB since 1947 and covers areas of reed bed, lowland heath, acid grassland, wet grassland, woodland and shingle vegetation. It lies within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Suffolk Heritage Coast area. It is conserved as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar site. The nature reserve is managed primarily for bird conservation, particularly through control and improvement of wetland, heath and grassland habitats, with particular emphasis on enco...

Some years we appear to have a considerable amount more wet weather than others. During these times, Layham takes on a new look, and indeed, the whole area does. This year was one of the wetter ones, although not the worst we have seen. Here are some of the images I have taken when we have experienced large rainfalls. The seat in the conservation area. You needed wellingtons to reach it, and the view was a bit different from normal. Where does the river start or finish? The path through the trees is flooded, but the odd oasis produces the occasional surprise. ... such as crocuses still managing to produce some colour. .... and snowdrops. It's as well that this house is standing on pillars of brick, although this year the water was not quite as deep but near enough. Facing the other way, the garden? and tennis court of the neighbours property. The water as it thunders under the bridge and down the overflow beside the b...

Just off the mainland, south of one of Suffolk’s most popular tourist hotspots lies a rare and special landscape that most casual visitors probably have no idea even exists. The British coast boasts more than 6,000 islands, but only one of them is in Suffolk. Across the River Ore from Orford Ness, it's far more obvious and famous neighbour, Havergate Island is, in many ways, a bundle of contradictions. Just a 20-minute boat ride from the quay at Orford! These days, no-one lives on Havergate except an abundance of wildlife. It’s been an RSPB nature reserve since just after the Second World War – and what a reserve it is. Along with Minsmere, it was the first place in Britain for avocets to breed in 100 years, and is a magnet for exotic spoonbills and migrant waders.  Then there are the hares, probably first brought to the island as a food source when it was inhabited by farmers. Numbers were depleted in the storm surge of 2013, but they’re still a Havergate speciali...

The day started with falling snow blanketing the surrounding countryside. As the morning progressed the snowfall subsided and we decided to brave the `elements` and equipped with camera, we set off to explore. We soon found that, although it looked very pretty, it was not going to stay long. It was very `slushy` underfoot in places. Looking up the hill neat Overbury Hall did look rather winter like, as this image shows. A close up of snow on the edge of a roof.  Patterns formed by the snow and the structure of the barn. The scene by Layham Mill, including the little snow covered island used by our resident swans. A couple of images of the playing field. And finally, Rosey, having ducked under the fallen branch, makes her way down the centre of the road. Wouldn't do that normally!  Index of posts

Shelley is a small village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. Located on the west bank of the River Brett around three miles south of Hadleigh, it is part of Babergh district. Probable built C13 with a north facing tower added C14, this little church was very obviously used by the Tylney family, who lived in the Shelley Hall nearby. It contains tombs and a chapel, all in the Tylney name. Elizabeth Gosnold Tilney, sister of Jamestown colonist and explorer Bartholomew Gosnold, is buried at All Saints Church, Shelley. Many people who come to Shelley will do so to see Dame Margarett Tylney. Her effigy lies in a window embrasure to the west of the pulpit. She died in 1598, shortly before the Tudor dynasty ended. Thomas Tylney, who married Elizabeth Gosnold Tylney, is also buried in Shelley church. Her sleeping effigy was witness to a quite extraordinary event in the early years of the 21st Century. In 2003, archaeologists working in Jamestown, Virginia discove...