Houghton Mill, Autumn Flowers and Fruits

As summer fades away and autumn blows in, I went out this weekend looking for some autumnal photos. Yesterday we visited Houghton Mill which is a National Trust water-mill which grinds flour on Sundays and bank holidays to make the flour for the delicious scones sold in the teashop. We walked around the water Meadows beside the River Ouse where the blackberries are not yet ripe, but full of colour for photographs.

Today I stayed closer to home and I visited two gardens in Little Wilbraham.  Robert Turner's cottage garden is a wonderful source of inspiration and a tribute to his hard work. Sue Lee's garden is less flamboyant, but quietly sophisticated; it was there that I found miniature cyclamens and beautiful holly berries as well as the shiny conker bursting from its prickly case.

 

 

 

 

 

I realise that a bursting sunflower bud is far from autumnal, but I could not resist it! 

Dunwich - the beach, grandchildren and the dog

As mentioned in my previous blog on Dunwich Heath & Heather, we spent the morning on the beach in glorious sunshine.  The children and the dog loving the sea.  'nuff said!

Dunwich Heath

I last visited Dunwich Heath (National Trust) in July/August 1974 when Adam (our oldest son) was -1month old. Jane was heavily pregnant and we thought that a break for a week in the pub in Walberswick, being waited on hand and foot, would be just the ticket.  The rain didn't stop for four days and we gave up and went home!!  But during those four days we drove down to Dunwich Heath and then drove back again - soggy heathland in driving rain didn't do it for us.

Today we returned and had a spell on the beach with grandchildren, the grand-dog and Tom & Emily, then we had our picnic before taking a walk around the heathland.  The heath is spectacular at the moment with acres of heather in flower.  If you don't take grandchildren and the dog, you may also be lucky enough to see the Dartford Warbler, grass-snakes, lizards and lots of other flora & fauna.

Whether you are a Scot looking for a heather-fix, or and East Anglian searching for a new walk, Dunwich Heath could be the place to go.