Lavenham

Lavenham is famous for being the most intact medieval villages within the UK. Deep in sheep country, it was an important wool town, and major meeting place for guilds.

It hasn't changed much over the years. The half timbered houses lean at crooked angles over the tiny streets, which are now covered in bitumen rather than dust.  Over 300 homes are listed in the Historical Interest list.  ( thats alot for a tiny town)

Our points of interest lay in the Corpus Christi Guild hall, the crooked houses and De Ver Lodge.

Below is the Corpus Christi - but perhaps most recently famed as Harry Potters parents house.

Morgan is standing outside of one of the tiniest homes here - barely two metres wide with the door so low even he had to duck!

The tiny crooked house which is now a cafe.

 DeVer house - where the Earl was supposedly the real "Shakesphere". Originally a Hunting Lodge, this place has been in the hands of the Earls of Oxford for centuries. 

Streetscape - main street fll of half timbered homes.

Norwich Castle

Built just a few yesrs after the Notman conquest of 1066, it was completed in 1120. One of its claims to fame is that it stands on the largest man made mound in the UK.

It was a show of power and infludnce rsther than somewhere to live and was ysed for feasts and official business.

In horse heaven

Its been Lillys dream to work with horses and to own one. It may be just a girl thing, but I think its in the blood. Having grown up with horses, ridden in shows, dressage, one day events, not to mention going roving behind thousands of sheep for weeks on end, galloping round the paddocks, into dams and playing silly buggers bareback, its a dream I like to share as well.

So, you can imagine how excited she was when she discovered that the housesit we currently were in came with stables and many horses. 

Most of the horses are retired hunters and dressage ponies, living out their twilight years being spoilt by these wonderful owners.

Their facilities are brilliant. I am very envious of the dressage arena they have and the stables are roomy and bright - no wonder the old horses are in such good order.

Happiness truly is a paddock of horses.