summer•shorts no:12
Today was a perfect late summer Sunday – after lunch we walked one of our favourite routes along the Stour valley from Long Melford, approaching Sudbury via the timeless meadows. Cattle wade in the cooling river shallows just as they have done for many centuries.After an indulgent cream tea in the Mill Hotel, fruit scones (I think a real cream tea should have plain scones - is that just me being picky?) clotted cream and strawberry jam; we wandered back to the riverside, taking a short cut through St Gregory's churchyard. The ancient carved doorway seemed to invite us inside the cool quiet church, where we discovered this glorious painted ceiling . . .
If you're picky then so am I, fruit scones do not belong in a cream tea!
ReplyDeleteI have been having just this discussion on a garden forum. Wholemeal scone with raisins in are gorgeous - but to eat them with jam you need a plain white scone. It's NOT just you!
ReplyDeleteLove that ceiling by the way.
:-) Thank you scone-sisters!
ReplyDeleteVeg Heaven - the painted ceiling is just asking to be used to inspire a pattern for an embroidered/ patchwork cushion.
Celia
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Such a lovely country scene - and a perfect Sunday indeed when strolling along the Stour valley - one of our favourite walks too. Never been in the Mill Hotel though - as for cream teas - they can come up any which way for me!!
ReplyDeleteJeanne
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I love that ceiling, it looks like an embroidery from a distance.
ReplyDeleteI am very impressed with all those ticks on your to do list below. I especially love your hand bound children's book.
I also agree with your view on the scone issue.
ReplyDeleteNow, on to those two gorgeous photos. The first scene is indeed timeless. I was recently in the Frick Gallery here in NYC, looking at its many Constable paintings, and remembering the actual British countryside that I have been fortunate to see. I sort of wanted to climb into those paintings and sit below one of the pictured trees.
Seeing your photo gave me that same wish.
And, as for that ceiling ... it is truly amazing. Do you know when it might have been painted? Everything about it seems perfect.
Best wishes.
Hi Jeanne - the Mill Hotel seems busy and popular - and has a beautiful view of the meadows from the bar. The cream tea was generously portioned - one between two would have been adequate!
ReplyDeleteHi Acornmoon - I managed to tick off a few things which have been hanging around in the wings for some time ;-)
Hi Frances - there are watercolours by Gainsborough, who lived in Sudbury, which look so like this scene with the cows in the river. I've just found some info about the ceiling, it's early 16th century which makes it 500 years old and was restored in 1966.
Celia
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Timeless images. Beautiful, thank you.
ReplyDeleteCream tea with fruit scones? I think NOT!
Raisin scones indeed, what is the world coming to. A quick call to the scone police is in order, to grass the offenders up! Don't these people understand the gravity of their mistake, it is written in the old lore of the land and not to be messed with, plain scones for jam, raisin scones for cheese! Good grief!
ReplyDelete(Just a thimbleful)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to spend a Sunday! We are SO lucky to be living in this lovely country of ours, even with a lousy government and a recession. Cows in fields and fruitless scones - perfect.
Hi Toffeeapple - another scone-sister!
ReplyDeleteHi Woodland Fay - I knew you'd be on my side! Not only does the Mill Hotel deserve a sharp word from the scone police, but another offender is, a-hem! The National Trust tea room at Anglesey Abbey (pause for gasps of horror).
Hi Mavis - your right, it doesn't get much better, does it!
Oh dear, I'm a backwards scone eater. I have a slight fear of plain scones - I like the raisins, with or without jam!
ReplyDeleteI've not been to Long Melford for such a long time.We must go back.
Now, who needs all these exotic Summer holidays when we have such paradise on our own doorstep! I must make a note to stop off in Sudbury one day!
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