Returning to Sussex, in September
It seems a thousand years ago (September) when the husband and I broke away from the confines of the city (wearisome London) and made our way to our holiday idyll (Sussex) . Our skins reddened and blistered from the sun (we’re of a pale grey hue now from winter) and our thighs toughened from 6 hour walks along the river Ouse and the green rolling hills. The lovely locals were surprised that was able to do so much walking (hours and hours) at 4 months (a whole 2 months ago) but tiring days were counteracted by quieter ones at the lodge where we’d read or meander in the local setting.
We took trips to castles, gardens, Charleston Farmhouse and the beach. What more could we want? Throughout the holiday, cake was abundant as was tea and hot chocolate in tea houses. But best of all, the company was made it magical. For me, getting off track (old map, new fence) and exposed to the elements is a pure joy when you are beside someone who makes you laugh and smile? This I know, will be something I never lack.
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After what I believed to be a never ending walk from the centre of Hailsham to our humble abode, we were greeted with beautiful green fields, sheep…. and home made Victoria sponge, just what we needed before setting back off to the centre again for food supplies
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| Acquainting ourselves with our neighbours for the week |
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| Lodge rules |
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| The Lodge clock drove me mad…the whole time. Why!? Just why!? |
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| Kitchen view- Picture perfect |
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| Mr C navigating us through fields to Herstmonceux castle |
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These cows were actually scary, they insisted on walking toward us rather than eyeing us from a distance like other decent herds of cows
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After 3 1/2 hours of walking in the blistering sun and squatting in hedges (pregnant bladder) we finally arrived at Herstmonceux castle
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| Shakespeare’s Garden |
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| The walk back, I’m a sucker for corn fields, I just love walking through them, I always imagine a snake slithering through |
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| Charleston Farmhouse |
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| Even the toilets at Charleston are decorated impeccably! Inspirational! |
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| Tea & Hot chocolate in the gardens, a small haven on a beautiful sunny day, under a fig tree |
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| Charleston Gardens |
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| After a beautiful hot day we thought we’d have a bbq and suddenly, a fog rolled in… |
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| And at last…the beach |
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| It was even hot enough for a swim … the husband, not me |
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| A few of my acquisitions… |
I'm so homesick after looking at these! It looks glorious, we had a Spring holiday like that (a last pre baby holiday) in Pembrokeshire when I was about 20 weeks and it was lovely just to relax and do whatever we wanted.
I was thinking about you while putting these pics up! I remember you telling me you didn't live too far from where we were gallivanting. Pre baby holidays are a must! But I'm sure the next ones will be just as magical- in a different way.
Idyllic is the perfect word. This is everything you could want in a holiday. Memories to cherish in the depths of winter.
Oooh, I've been meaning to read some Iris Murdoch after seeing the superb film with Judi Dench. Charleston Farmhouse looks beautiful – my ideal home! Beautiful photos – how long is it until Spring?!
absolutely, all we have to do is close our eyes and remember the warmth!
Thank you Vicky. You must read A Fairly Honourable Defeat, The Bell and The Sea The Sea! You'll love her writing if you haven't read any.
As for Charleston, it stole my heart. If you ever desire inspiration, it's a must! It was my second visit and Monks House is not too far either (yearly pilgrimage)