Polstead Thatch

The Cobblers, Polstead, Suffolk  (Historic Grade II Listed Building)

I love a thatched roof and this one is a pure delight.  With the two levels and two doors I imagine it was once two cottages but today this 18th Century building is one.  Do you spot anything scampering across the top of the roof?

Well perhaps more a still life. From a distance I first thought this was a fox but of course only a squirrel would be at home on a roof top. 

Newfield Inn

A grouping of different communication systems in the Duddon Valley, post box, phone box and electricity substation. The notice directs the visitor to extra parking for the Newfield Inn but as it is mid afternoon on a Monday

parking won't be a problem. The Newfield Inn squeezes itself in a corner between a house and a bank barn in the hamlet of Seathwaite.  I don't know the inn's age, and neither does anyone else, sources put it at 16th, 17th or 18th century, take your pick, could be all three.  It is possible the poet William Wordsworth stopped here when visiting Seathwaite and perhaps he penned some of his Duddon sonnets in one of the rooms, although more poetically when he wrote 'To The River Duddon' one of the lines said he "left his verses gummed to your rocks like lichen"

The shape of a 1950s Morris Minor cabriolet outside is instantly recognisable, and its owner is taking advantage of the warm sunny day with the top down and although there are clouds there are none of the nimbus ones which bring rain.  If not for the modern blue car I could masquerade this photo as being taken half a century ago.

The occupants of the cottage opposite the Newfield Inn don't have far to walk for a meal, drinks or good company.  There is a blue for sale notice up at the front, which is round the corner.  If you have £550,000 to spare (five bedrooms, detached barn (out of view) and garden) its yours.

An entry to ABC Wednesday, a journey through the alphabet, this week sojourning at N here 

Wisteria by Windows and Water

Flowers line the walls of Blackwell, a house designed in the Art and Crafts style. As it is June the Wisteria is in full bloom, glimpsed here through one of the small stained glass windows.  For an expansive view of the surroundings one can walk over

and sit on a window seat to gaze over the lake.  This particular day was overcast but with little wind.

Windermere was like glass, the only ripples from the small boats sailing along.

A more rustic view of Wisteria on a country cottage. Patience is required when growing this plant and though it thrives on neglect it does demand regular pruning. Grown from seed it can take 20 years to bloom, from a grafted plants it may only be a couple of year although it took a friends seven years to flower.  It was worth the wait seeing it spill over and through their pergola. Perhaps in a 100 years it may end up like this one.

St Bees Head

And lastly a winding coastal path on top of the cliffs of St Bees weaving its way through bluebells which I include because I am amazed they are still with us a month after they have usually long gone, the  result of late blooming after the coldest spring for 50 years.  I wonder what they think of the June sunshine. 

An entry to ABC Wednesday - a wander through the alphabet