Monday 5 November 2012

THE SOUTHERN SCENE


Last week we were down in Sussex for a fix of fresh sea air - and, of course, the never-ending antiques hunt, at Ardingly and all places East and West this time.


Eastbourne and its Victorian pier (last visited in 1963).


Bexhill-on-Sea and the 1930s De La Warr Pavilion...



... though we prefer something a little more down-market.


Here we are at The Sovereign Light Cafe, immortalised by rock band Keane on their last album, Strangeland. Lovely "seasidey" decor and excellent cod and chips, according to Mr N.



***


 Sea breezes aside, Sussex was in the full flush of Autumn, here at Standen,



and over the border in Kent...


...at Sizzlinghurst, home of Vera Sackcloth-Vest - oops, I've been listening to Sue Limb's hilarious "Gloomsbury" on Radio 4 (though Mr N insists that he coined the name "Sizzlinghurst" first.)


We were at Sissinghurst Castle of course, home of Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson.


What would she have thought of the rabble sticking their lowbred noses into her writing room in the tower?



Mind you, I don't believe that Vita went this far to keep her hedges trim - she approved of a little wildness and disorder.
                                                       
                                                     ***

16 comments:

  1. wow! great photos.
    My brother lives down in that area so we don't visit around there much as trying to avoid him (haha!) but last time we did meet up we visited Charleston which really was gorgeous. Have you been?

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    1. Ooooh - yes! I love that Bloomsbury decorating style, though I'm sure they too would have shuddered at the idea of we clodhoppers enjoying their rural idyll.

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  2. Dear Nilly - what a whirlwind - I feel quite out of breath. I love Standen with it's wonderful Arts and Crafts bits and pieces and haven't visited for years.
    Never seen anyone doing the box hedging with a spirit level before - time to teach 'H' a lesson or two in how it should really be done. Your cartoon of Vita says it all.
    Enjoyed your post very much.

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    1. I loved the Standen interiors too - interesting and inspiring. I had bumped into an old friend earlier in the day and she warned me that Standen was boring.
      I'm so glad I didn't believe her!

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  3. Bet you came through Goudhurst and still didn't look us up! I was planning a trip to Ardingly, trouble was we had a half-term house-full. In my mind, the plan was to waylay every likely looking Mr N & wife 'til I found you! I'm up to York beginning December perhaps then?

    Didn't quite realise just how lucky we are to live in this part of the world; that is, until I read your post. Like Bunny I love Charleston and Standen has a special place in our hearts as we have fond memories of loved-up champagne picnics when we were 'young' and had starry eyes.

    LLX

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    1. Sadly we missed Goudhurst again - we diverted through Cranbrook & Hawkhurst as we were staying down a lovely leafy lane near Heathfield. I love the leafiness of Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire etc.
      Lots of antiques events up here at the beginning of December, BUT, remember, Mr N & I never stalk together, such a waste of manpower - strategy is everything in the hunt for antiques!

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  4. Beautiful colours you have captured on these photographs Nilly!
    love the measured hedge row picture, how articulate is that...
    Happy Tuesday.
    love Maria x

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    1. I'll bet it's lovely up your way at the moment too - Yorkshire is a little too bleak for me.

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  5. Another great post, I learn so much every time! Your images (?) are as usual stunning, thank you.

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    1. Gosh thankyou - I'll have to remember to be entertaining & not give a boring lecture.

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  6. Another of Mr N's photos - the last one? Wonderful, thanks. Barbara

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    1. Spot on, Barbara. He thought it was highly amusing - it's the last thing you'd catch him doing!

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  7. That old jalopy of yours gets everywhere! You never cease to amaze me with your visits around the UK.
    Had a good chuckle too with the Vera Sackcloth-Vest/Gloomsbury/Sizzlinghurst visit...I don't think I can use her real name ever again. Love it!
    Julie x

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    1. It certainly does! I was tempted by the Newcastle textile fair today but Mr N was not up for it - I wonder if you went?

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  8. Another post to smile though, Nilly, thank you! I do so miss these gorgeous autumn colours. I think it's one of the things England does best - that and sublime to ridiculous. You've captured it all. Thanks again.
    Axxx

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    1. I think the Autumn colours have been better than ever this year - however Mr N says he envies your winters in Spain & would retire there in a flash if he could.

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