Houses, crooked and grand

It has been raining again today, such a novelty for us so we don't mind, and it seems to stop whenever it would be really inconvenient. This morning we drove, not very far, to Lavenham .This village is the prettiest medieval village in England. It was very wealthy at one stage, because of the wool trade, but the industrial revolution left it behind and its people no longer had money to build new buildings so it has been preserved. I was a bit concerned while inside some of these buildings. They don't feel safe!

I really love when you are in a village and you can see the fields in the distance.

When Lavenham was very wealthy they spent 44 years and who knows how much money building this very large church. Lavenham is only a small village and almost has a cathedral!

With real holly bushes amongst the graves.

We had a lovely lunch in a real pub called The Angel. I had a delicious goats cheese, asparagus and tomato tart and Andrew had a steak and ale pie. We then drove up the road a little to Long Melford where we visited Melford Hall. We saw the room where Beatrix Potter used to stay and drawings that she did based on the house.

It was grand and lovely, but not in comparison with Ickworth House which we visited next. Jules, our GPS, took us through wonderful country roads to get there. The house was really amazing but you aren't allowed to take photos inside.

Here we had a first cream tea (tea and scones - with clotted cream!)

We have had a fabulous time in Suffolk, Pam has looked after us brilliantly, and we will be sorry to leave but tomorrow we are going to drive to the Cotswolds via Oxford. I will try to keep up the posting but can't be sure of Internet access in the next few days.