Lavenham leanings

The second day of our final weekend saw us visit the historic village of Lavenham (Suffolk). Founded and built on the back of the rag trade, it was simply abandoned once that market evaporated. Fortunately, the houses were very well built and the heritage has not been lost, so it survives as an excellent example of how nature can handle time quite well and the spirit level and straight edges are not necessarily the most sturdy? Another example fo working with & around what you have at your disposal.

Here is where our meander began - the village church ... one of many examples of "wool" churches, built with money donated by the successful wool merchants at the relevant time. Just over the road were attached cottages of quite different styles, both belying the eclectic constructions just down the road :).

I will simply include a load of photos for you to see what I mean ... fascinating ...

Then, when you think you just can't wait to see more, there is a much more "conventional" red brick structure adorned with a beautiful wisteria vine ...

But fear not, then some seriously awry structures appear around the corner and up the road ... OK, the second one is a trick of the camera to some extent - I deliberately aligned the shot with the "straight edge" of the next building and it certainly exacerbates to lean :). The top one though is no trick!

Now as we were walking around there were a range of lovely flowers and even a sparrow of three enjoying the gardens too ...

We took afternoon tea in the cafe at the Lavenham Guildhall before an exploration of same - taking advantage of our National Trust membership again. Interesting origins and purpose, what we would call medical insurance or life insurance these days ... if you were paid up, you or your family would be taken care of when hard times or death fell. Some shots of the outside, having afternoon tea and discussing the problems of the world, and some shots from the inside out of the village and Ruth and Belinda wandering.

More wandering and more wonderful examples of successful architecture of a bygone era that has withstood the test of time very well. A couple once again demonstrating straight vertical and horizontal is not always the "way" ...

I was fascinated along the way by the design and structures of doors and windows. I have chosen to show some of the windows, not the doors. Small is the feature, and there will generally be several like these per wall. Just being a bit "arty" and mucking about with the camera really ... but the architectural design was eye-catching and very obvious where ever you looked. See what you think ... no standard window fittings that's for sure :) ... glazing was clearly an artisan skill, not a factory process!

On our way back to Newmarket, we detoured through Long Melton and caught a glimpse of Kentwell Hall - it was closed, but you can see by the snap through the gate it is another fine example of a grand country Hall. Nearby is another similar one owned by the National Trust, Melford Hall but it was not visible behind a very high brick wall and we were much too late to get in given our leisurely meander enjoying Lavenham. So here is Kentwell Hall ... not at all dissimilar architecture and design to Blickling Hall.

And finally, here is further evidence of Maggie's continued growth and good health, just in case you were thinking she has been neglected for all the sightseeing :) ... apparently now 13 lbs (or 5.9kg) so rapidly outgrowing the smallest of her outfits and ready to move up a size.