Minibus trip to Lavenham, Long Melford, and Cavendish, 8 May 2015

We met and loaded into the minibus in spite of the cold wind and rain and headed out for an adventure.  We enjoyed good conversation in the bus and then sightseeing together.  The "brollys" really came in handy.

Our first stop was in Lavenham, Suffolk.  It is one of the best-preserved and wealthiest towns in Tudor England.  During Medieval times it boosted a booming wool trade that helped establish its wealth.  These half-timbered medieval cottages are a site to see.

 Typical Tudor architect.

 Buildings and streets leaned this way and that way and the multicolors helped accentuate their "leaning" qualities.

We guess they are sturdy enough to be lived in, because people do live in them.  I felt like I was looking in a distorted mirror.

This is a wisteria vine.  The soft lavender colored blossoms have a sweet aroma.  We enjoyed just standing there and smelling them.

 Notice how each blue door is at a different distance from the sidewalk.

This pub is getting a new thatched roof.  We were intrigued with watching the men work in the rain.

 Another thatched roof.

St. Peter and St. Paul's Church in Lavenham, was rebuilt between 1485-1525.  A church has existed on this site since c.1340.  Sister Christensen and Sister George are trying to keep the brollys under control while Dad poses and I take photos in the rain.  We enjoyed our tour of the church as a man inside was very willing to tell us about the building and some of the people who were parishioners.  

 The Nave.

 The ceiling.

Note the small windows at the top with stars and some colored.  They are original windows from when the church was rebuilt in the 1400's.  All the lower windows were blown out when King Henry VIII went on his rampage to destroy the Catholic Churches.

 The stained glass windows were beautiful.  The colors are deep and vibrant in tone.

Our next stop was the village of Long Melford.  It too, was a wool trade village in medieval times and sits on the River Stour.   We were there long enough to get a bite to eat and brave the rain back and forth to the minibus.  Dad did stop for a picture of him in front of a very short door.

We continued to brave the rain and traveled on to the village of Cavendish.  We were not there very long but did get out and do some sightseeing and shopping.

 The buildings seem to be upright.

 Another thatched roof and the building is pink, just like the one in Lavenhan.

Dad stopped off at the church.

  St Mary The Virgin's Church is a 14th century building.

"He's done preachin' and gone to meddlin'."

One of the grave stones in the church.

Sister George by "her" pub.

While Dad was off taking pictures, some of us went into the charity shop.  There were a lot of fun things to look at and this writing box immediately caught my eye.  I opened it up and checked it and considered how I would get it home to America in one piece.  I went on looking at other things and then returned to the box.  Sister George saw me looking at it and came over and like myself, enjoyed taking a look at it from top to bottom, from inside to outside.  Sister George said it isn't really old, maybe made in the 20' or 30's.  I told her that was like a hundred years ago and she thought a moment and agreed, realizing it is old!  In the end I bought it.  

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