Sunday 4.

The wellie wanging pitch (to use the vernacular term) down at the end of the garden by the river. The object of the exercise is to throw a wellington boot the furthest. I would like to have had a go, but during my necessarily brief visit to take a photo there was such a queue to take part that I decided not to wait.

Sunday 3.

The raffle stall. Our friend Hilary (the lady at the end of the table in the turquoise jumper) was in charge.

Sunday 2.

Half the tea tent - the tables were on the terrace outside. The cakes (all home made by the Church ladies) were replenished regularly, but by four p.m. none were left!!!!

Sunday 1.

Above photo shows a small section of the Aldehigh Annual Deanery Garden Fete and Dog Show, which took place yesterday. Ann was busy serving ploughmens' lunches, and I manned the till in the Tea Tent from it's opening at 12 noon until the Fete closed at 4 p.m. Weather was dry and quite sunny in patches. More photies to follow.

Friday 2.

Photo of Ann in front hall, which is looking a bit of a mess, because we'd taken the front door apart for Matthew to paint it- yesterday. Really reopened this blog to say that as the Deanery Fete is tomorrow, probably shan't have time to blog. Will try and remember to take camera along though.

Friday 1.

The front of our Guilhall (facing the Church), bedecked with hanging baskets - which still look well in September.

Thursday 3.

Had a busy day at Long Melford yesterday, and a late start this morning (breakfasted at 9a.m.). Ann asked Matthew if he'd paint the front door for us. Helped him take the brass door furniture off, then walked into town to bank, etc. Came across friend Joan who'd had a fall in town, been sorted out in the surgery, and whose daughter was escorting her home. She looked a bit shaky and asked me to make her apologies at choir practice this evening if she didn'd feel up to attending. When I got home Matthew was getting stuck into painting the front door. Took the above photo at about five p.m. when door was dry-ish and we'd reattached the brass bits. It's looking good. Off to choir practice now.

Thursday 2.

Sloe pickers (although we're quite fast pickers really). Photo taken by grandson Matthew, who's shadow can be seen in the foreground.

Thursday 1.

Sloes, mostly ripe. They are each about half an inch long, and, as stated previously, their only use is as the chief ingredient of sloe gin.

Tuesday.

The above snapshot was taken on Sunday, after the morning service at a church a few miles away from us. Ann had been invited to read the lesson, and we stayed on to a picnic after the service. we bagged a nice, sunny seat in the church porch, and were snapped by our Dean eating cold chicken pie (made by Ann) and sandwiches. Martin the Dean emailed me the photo this morning - although I don't remember him taking it!

Monday.

Still some colour in the garden. Above photo shows salvia, montbretia, and fuchsia; with Michaelmas daisies just coming into bloom behind them..

Saturday 5.

After scrabble club this afternoon, galloped home, changed into me scruff, and both of us went out looking for ripe sloes. Picked about two and a half pounds. Shall need about six pounds to make usual quantity of sloe gin, so will wait a fortnight for more to ripen. Picked a few blackberries, just enough to colour a blackberry and apple pie; again should be more in a week or so. We also found a nice hop bine which Ann has draped artistically around the set of shelves over the dining table to dry, as above.
Nine now, and have got to clean a pair of boots ready for the morning, so will wish you all Good Night.

Saturday 4.

On way to farm shop called in at Semer Church. It's down a grass drove, off a back lane, so nowhere near a main road. The above photo is of a large ancient horse chestnut (conker) tree in the churchyard. As you can see the lower third of the tree's leaves are brown and curling. And this is in late August, not in October. We have noticed a great many horse chestnut trees in this condition - and some much worse. These appear to be sick trees. If anyone knows what is causing this problem, and what can be done about it, I'd be grateful for the information.
Thanks, Mike.

Saturday 3.

Clever topiary at farm shop of pig and cockerel. Being called up for dinner. More blog later probably.

Saturday 2.

Ann said this morning that there was a chill in the air, so put on a light waistcoat to go over to our farm shop. Stopped on way to deal with a long case clock that needed regulating.

Saturday 1.

Busy day yesterday. Motored up to Southwold, and went to 'Quality Antique Fair' at St. Felix School. Met up with friends Jonathan and Jo and pottered round fair for over an hour. Took Jo, instead of flowers, a couple of neolithic flint 'birding points' to add to her collection of very early artifacts. At the fair we found that stuff was generally very expensive but we managed to buy - Jonathan a treen snuff box- and I a brass snuff box (to keep, I think) and a pair of eighteenth century brass candlesticks (as stock). Met up with -and caught up with the news of- a good many old friends; a very pleasant morning. Then the four of us went into Southwold where Jonathan had booked a table for lunch at a small, but very good, restaurant. Excellent lunch - cod and chips for three of us, and Jonathan had Suffolk ham, egg and chips. Only Jo and I had pudding - she had a delightful looking confection (of which I didn't catch the name, but it appeared to consist of ice cream, bananas and some sort of sauce -have just asked Ann and she says it was a Banofee Pie- mem. sounds unlikely but she's probably right - will check later), and I, being a traditionalist had spotted dick and custard (don't know if you have that overseas Lori, but it's a sort of boiled pudding with dried fruit and some spice in it). Then round to Jonathan and Jo's for quick cuppa and to see their new garden room/office - garden appeared much larger than I remember it- clever planning, I suppose.
On our way home called in at Halesworth on our friends (of very long standing) Mike and Patty Pearson - took Pat a bunch of Dhalias I'd bought at a cottage garden. Good to see them and exchange family news. Above photo is of Ann, Mike and Patty taken on their front drive just before we left. Got home just after 6 p.m. which left time for a quick cuppa then out to see a film called Australia at our cinema club. Would thoroughly recommend the film which we both enjoyed. Got home at just after 10.30 p.m. Gosh Lori, it's quite tiring being social butterflies; may have to hibernate (if that's what butterflies do) soon,but felt we'd had a good day off.

P.s. Have just rechecked banoffee pie with Ann, and was told it consists of bananas, cream and toffee sauce. Sounds (and looked) good; if a little rich.

Wednesday 2.

Portion of aforementioned apple and blueberry pie with dollop of cream (custard was applied just after I took photo).

Wednesday 1.

I know I've shown photoes of this scene before -last winter with snow on it, but it's worth seeing in different seasons. The Deanery Tower (to the left) was built in 1495, and the Deanery (to the right of the Tower) was finally added in 1832. St. Mary's, to the right is mainly of 14th century date with an earlier tower. We went to early service there at 7.30 a.m., followed by a quick breakfast, and took the above picture when leaving. Went and had coffee with friends who are 'downsizing' and needed advice on redundant antique stuff, mostly quite nice (which is a pleasant change - often have to tell people that their swans are geese- but not this morning). Advised them on best auctioneer to use. Spent rest of day pottering in workshop. Went well. Just had dinner - sausage casserole followed by apple and blueberry pie with custard. Played a game of scrabble. Got to tidy up in workshop, then bed I think. Been a long day. Goodnight All.

Tuesday.

On Monday Ann drove over to her mother's, stayed over at her brother Tim's, then drove home early this evening. The above is your blogger's Monday evening meal as prepared by himself. It is, perhaps, a fairly typical bloke's meal when left to himself. It consists of cold roast chicken, a bubble and squeak of fried potatoes and red peppers, a dash of Branston pickle- and a book for company (not very civilised !). Prepared much the same meal for Ann when she got back this evening, except I didn't need a book at table. Two handed game of scrabble after dinner. Ann scored a seven letter word early in the game, and it took me the rest of the game to catch up. Got a quick job to do in the workshop now, then it's time for bed. So - Goodnight all.

Monday 2.

Hanging baskets and runner beans. Put the beans in a different place than usual, and they've not done as well this year, but everyone tells me that it's not been a good year for beans, and they look well where they are, so I think I'll try them there again next year. And anyway, we've had half a dozen baits off them, and a few more to come.