Lovely Norfolk

We're back from a week in Norfolk, where we visited old haunts and some new ones. This garden, at Stody Lodge, was new to us, and only three miles from where we were staying in Holt. The owners have gone all out for a riot of colour at this particular time of year - colours which don't necessarily go with one another (you probably wouldn't want to have this scheme in your living room) but were pretty amazing en masse. 

It's presumably mainly green at other times of year. 

They also had a separate, and more pastel-coloured, water garden. 

On the Sunday we had lunch with my aunt's friend. For many years we used to visit my aunt in Norfolk - every year or two since 1987, I think - but she sadly died in 2018, and we haven't been back since. My brother and his wife and daughter came too, and afterwards we had a walk along Hunstanton beach. It was such a lovely day. 

We did go on two heritage railways for my brother and Mr L (both train buffs - easy to see where Big Grandson gets his transport interests, since his other grandfather likes trains too). But strangely I didn't take any photos of those...

We always go to Sandringham, the Queen's - now the King's - little place in Norfolk. It was interesting to see the changes that the King's making to the gardens - topiary and a maze. Mind you, the cafe no longer sells cheese scones! - a black mark, Charles. 

This is a seventeenth century quilt at Blickling Hall. It was found a few years ago in an attic there. That's what I call a quilt - not the easy stuff I do. I don't imagine mine will survive for 400 years! 

The Hall itself dates from 1616, so is quite contemporary with the quilt. Anne Boleyn is said to have been born somewhere in the estate, though of course this house hadn't been built when she was around. She'd have done well to have stayed there in lovely Norfolk, instead of getting mixed up with Henry VIII.