North Elmham

Mum and Dad have only been living at North Elmham for six or seven weeks now, but are so settled that it feels like they've been there forever.  There are lots of clubs within the village including Knit and Natter and Sewing for Pleasure, which Mum is really keen to join.   The village newsletter has details of all the clubs and activities each month and there are regularly at least two typed up A5 pages full of jaunts and jollies.   And the newsletter is a mine of information - local decorators, farm shops, builders, etc, etc - and this is where we found out about the fabric sale that we went to on Saturday.  Mum, Amanda and I visited the home of a local lady whose sister has been collecting fabric for years now - I bought a couple of bits of vintage Liberty fabric to make myself a frock next summer.   Amanda bought some fabric for her bag making course which she is doing in the new year and Mum bought some curtain fabric for the cottage, as well as some jams and marmalades being sold for the church funds.  

Last week, however, it was a different side that I saw to North Elmham.   Dad suggested we take Finn for a walk around the grounds of North Elmham Chapel - the ruins of a chapel built around 1070.   Dogs are allowed on leads and it's free to members of the public.  

Now for the history bit - in the 14th century, Bishop Henry le Despencer held the manor of North Elmham and turned the chapel into a house.   In 1388 he obtained a royal licence to fortify - basically to turn the chapel into a castle - which is evident from the thickness of the walls.   Apparently, he wasn't too popular - according to the guide, "he was despised for his merciless quashing of the Peasants' Revolt" and it's felt that the fortification was to protect him from his tenants.

It was pretty eerie - but I think that was more to do with the cold and damp than anything.  It's a massive site and there are lots of walks all around the boundary of the site, looking over farmland.   I bet in summer it's full of people having picnics and sitting around in the sun.   As it was, we didn't hang around too long - much too cold!

I also discovered while researching North Elmham - I love Google and Wikipedia - that the actor John Mills was born in the village.  Next time I'm there, I will be searching out the blue plaque!

Hyde Hall RHS Gardens

Last weekend, I spent a lovely day with my friend Lori wandering around Hyde Hall gardens in Essex.   Quite a fair bit of the five hours we had there were spent in the cafe and the shop - but it was very cold, so we were well entitled to seek out a bit of warmth!

I had wanted to visit these gardens for ages and, as I was long overdue seeing Lori who lives in Essex, it seemed the perfect opportunity.   Lori had been on the Visit Essex website and had found a two for one admission ticket so we couldn't really not go then.  Of course, there weren't many flowers in bloom, but the autumn colours were stunning and we were really lucky with bright blue skies and sunshine.

We've already planned to go back next summer to see the plants in all their glory, but it was a lovely day out and we even managed to get some Christmas shopping while there!

Movember

Movember is an annual event encouraging men to grow moustaches for the month and to be sponsored to grow them for charity.   It's been running since 2004 and has raised $174 million worldwide towards prostate and testicular cancer charities and also mental health charities - it's aimed towards men's charities as men are notorious for never discussing these serious issues and assuming that "it'll all go away".  So, as well as raising money, it's to raise the profile and get everyone talking.

This year, the money raised is being donated to men's mental health charities - stats show that British men are three times as likely to die by suicide than British women, and suicide remains the most common cause of death in men under the age of thirty-five.   Sobering stuff.

So, I work for the NHS in mental health - and our Service Manager thought we should start some competition going with a prize for growing the best Mo.   Unfortunately, most of the men in our office who COULD grow a Mo have already got one - and the others are all so young, we were a bit concerned they'd manage it within a month!   To try and raise the profile within our office and try to drum up some enthusiasm, I decided to get involved too and, once again, I started a project that I didn't complete.   It had been a great idea - I would knit some tashes for sale and try and get other knitters involved too, and we'd have a box of tashes for sale in the office to raise some funds.  However, I managed two in a month ..... pathetic!

Although I have to say they look very handsome.   (We were asked to submit some photos for our Trust's newsletter, but, because we only had the two, they got swopped amongst the girls in the office, to make it look like we'd been busier!)

And now it's December, Andy's looking after my tash for me!

Billingford

A few weekends ago, Mum and Dad and I went to check out Billingford Lakes as a potential fishing spot for Andy next year.   These lakes are less than a mile from their new house and had been recommended.   Luckily, I didn't have Finn with me - we found out, when we got there, that dogs are not allowed, as the lakes are part of a nature reserve.  So, if Andy decides we're going next year, then Finn will have to go on holiday to his Nan and Grandad's - I'm sure they'll be delighted!

There are some beautiful walks all around the lakes and we had a good mooch.  We didn't see anyone else fishing though, but we did meet the manager - luckily, Dad knew the right questions to ask so that we could report back to Andy.

The autumn colours and light were beautiful and this is the first place I've ever seen Chinese lanterns growing wild.

After leaving the lakes, we headed along the lanes then that run alongside the River Wensum, another fishing spot (and which has since become the spot where I walk Finn before we head over to Mum and Dad's - to try and wear him out before we visit.  It doesn't work!).   By this time, we were beginning to lose the sun and it was getting a bit cool.

These lanes round about Mum and Dad's are causing me to waste quite a lot of time househunting on the Right Move website at the moment - always a dangerous occupation!   It really is a beautiful area, but I think I'll check out how Mum and Dad fare in the worst winter weather before I make any concrete plans!