Wimpole Estate

On our way home from Southend on Sea (I'll be blogging about our time there later) we called in at Wimpole Estate, a National Trust property. It's a large estate with a cafe, restaurant, farm, bookshop and manor house.

The estate is just off Ermine Street the Roman road that runs from London to York. It is listed in the Domesday Book in 1086 with being a moated manor house. Over time the house and estate has been owned by many many families including the Chicheley's for over 250 years. It was passed on to daughters, nephews and finally Francis Agar-Robartes the 7th Viscount Clifden.

With so many occupants the house had many changes including the main domed entrance that involved making upper rooms smaller to allow the high double storey ceilings. 

George Bambridge and his wife Elsie purchased Wimpole in 1838 after being tenants for 6 years. Elsie, Rugyard Kiplings daughter, made many decorative changes to the house leaving it as it is seen today to the National Trust on her death in 1976.

There was so much to see around the house in the many rooms, the décor, furniture and objects. I was intrigued, if a little un-nerved by the beaded eyes, with the Lord Chancellor's purse. It belonged to Philip Yorke the 1st Earl of Hardwicke 1690 - 1764 and although an important item and beautiful beadwork it did look a bit macabre. 

The dining room held another superb object, a huge ice bucket/bath for wine. It would certainly hold quite a few bottles which would be needed with such a large dining table

In the final part of our tour we were very surprised to discover a sunken bath with shower. The guide informed us it was installed for the gentlemen to bath after playing sports or horse riding. It must have been quite a state of the art thing to have at one time. 

We had a great visit but we didn't see it all as it was a stop on our journey, it really needed more time to explore the farm and gardens and wooded walks. it's always good to visit a National Trust property and this is another we can now say we have enjoyed. 

Whisky tasting in Birmingham

We took a trip to Birmingham for a whisky tasting, a Christmas gift from our son and his girlfriend. As usual the train journey was not great, thankfully just under 30 minutes but standing all the way.

Our tasting was at Grain and Glass who are located in the Jewellery Quarter. Managing to negotiate the lively crowds and parades for Birmingham Pride (we didn't realise the date clash) we walked uphill out of the city centre. 

Needing refreshment, and having plenty of time we enjoyed a beer outside The Jewellers Arms. My Staropramen half pint glass was so cute, not the usual comments for a beer glass but it was. Hubby enjoyed his pint of Black Country Ale.

Needing a bit to eat before our tasting we headed inside The Jewellers Arms where we enjoyed the nicest cheesiest batch I've had in ages. I should really say cheese cob as we were in Birmingham. Whilst we were sitting in the pub Hubby realised he'd been there years ago for a work lunch when visiting a small engineering factory, small world isn't it.

Arriving with plenty of time we settled down in the Grain and Glass with a glass of bubbly, a bag of my favourite Brown Bag Crisps and a wee dram of Antiquary 15 year old (a whisky I rarely see in a bar, I'm on the hunt for Antiquary 12 year old after discovering it in Ayr last year).

The tasting room was very inviting with a large table laid ready with six whisky tastings poured each. The room was light and airy with a relaxing blue and copper colour scheme, I really liked the whisky themed glass panel.

 

Our first tasting was a bourbon, Michter's US*1 Small Batch Bourbon. At 45.7% ABV it was quite a strong drink and not having tasted Bourbon neat before it took a second sip to appreciate the flavours. As expected with bourbon there was a slight sweetness, caramel, but I didn't expect the herby edge.

I enjoyed it but it didn't pull me in and I'm not convinced I like bourbon without a mixer.

Our second tasting and first whiskey was from Ireland, Drumshanbo Single Pot Still. Irish pot still whiskey is made using malted and unmalted barley and can use other grains. I really liked this whiskey with its creamy vanilla nose and rich fruitcake flavours. The whiskey really developed in the mouth revealing chocolate notes and a hint of orange zest.

Moving closer to home our next whisky came from England, White Pesk Wire Works Alter Ego. At 51.5% ABV this was too strong for me, not just in alcohol but it had a strong tropical nose and quite heavy flavours of toasted oats and citrus. It was the only whisky I didn't finish and which gave me heart burn

A completely new experience came with whisky number 4, China Distiller's Reserve from Japan. This was very smooth with plenty of honey flavours leaving an orangey finish. Made by the distillers who make Roku gin this whisky was enjoyed by everyone at the tasting.

Our last two drams were from Scotland and although I still have many whiskies to try ftom many countries I really do like Scottish whisky with Speyside one of my favourite areas. On a holiday a few years ago we stayed in Dufftown and visited Glenfiddich distillery which is the sister distillery of Balvenie, our 5th tasting.

The Balvenie 14 Caribbean Cask was delicious, there was certainly a richness from the rum cask with dark sugar flavours. It reminded me of a well spiced apple crumble, in fact that would be a great pairing.

All through the tasting I was apprehensive for the final whisky. I'm not a fan of peated whisky and have tried Laphroaig 10 before, not liking it. I find it hard to get past the Germoline smell and initial medicine taste but our host encouraged us to try a little sip and fully coat our mouths and then take another sip. I won't say I'm a convert but it certainly softened out and the off putting medicinal flavours began to disappear.

We really enjoyed our tasting, it was great to discover new whiskies and to learn more about the World of Whisky.

Thanks to our son & girlfriend for a super gift and thanks to Grain & Glass for a great tasting.

Southwold & Thorpeness

Earlier in May we had a long weekend with friends in Southwold. We stayed in a 1930s house which although a little dated had bathrooms for each bedroom, a well equipped kitchen and great dining table. We could see the sea which was just a short stroll to the sea and had a great view of the lighthouse from our bedroom.

The weather was glorious, if a little breezy but that's expected on the east coast. The views from the Pier were amazing, across the sea and along the coast. On the Pier we discovered this quirky clock made by Tim Hunkin and Will Jackson in the late 1990s, it was very intricate but unfortunately wasn't working when we were there.
 

One reason for our short break, the main one being the getaway, was for the chaps to do a tour of Adnams brewery. I have visited many breweries so decided to chill at the house with the girls and a lovely bottle of wine.

It sounded like they had a great time and tried many of the beers, Broadside and Adnams stout being top choices. I enjoyed Broadside too when we visited one of the many pubs in Southwold and we did bring some stout home to try.

Adnams had a super shop and cafe at the top of the town. We had a great lunch together before the chaps' tour. Hubby and I shared the fish platter, a delicious selection which we accompanied with a can of wine. I'm not a great fan of wine in a can but Vinca was lovely and one I will look out for again. 

As mentioned we bought some stout home, along with some other beers (we had a free tea towel with the Broadside). We also bought new glasses as I really liked the beer glass size and shape and having bought Adnams' gin and whisky a matching glass was a must.

We all returned to Adnams cafe on our final morning to enjoy a breakfast together before making our separate ways home. We sat in an old mash tun and as with lunch the food was delicious.

Whilst wandering Southwold we popped in to see the church, such a surprise inside was the ancient rood screen with beautiful paintings. The church is dedicated to St Edmund and is full of history, I loved Southwold Jack, a 15th century clock jack with an axe and bell.

On the Sunday we took a short drive to Thorpness, home of the House in the Clouds. J. M. Barrie who wrote Peter Pan loved this quaint village with its windmill and boating lake. It was so peaceful even with many visitors. After a stroll around we had a fabulous Sunday dinner at the pub before returning to Southwold for an evening in with good wine and a game of cards. 

Our long weekend in Southwold was great, it's a place we would visit again and if it wasn't so far east would consider moving too. It is always good fun to holiday with our friends and this weekend was no exception with plenty of laughs, good food and flowing drinks ... cheers and here's to our next adventure together. 

Anglesey Abbey

On our way to our recent long weekend in Southwold with friends we called by Anglesey Abbey. It's a National Trust property that we have visited before but being NT members it was a perfect rest stop being midway of our journey.

Although now where near North Wales it does have a vague link to being an Abbey as it was converted in the 13th century to a priory after being the Hospital of St Mary founded in 1135 by Henry I.

The Dissolution during Henry VIII rule saw the end of the priory and the Abbey was left to decay, some of its stone being used nearby by John Hynde for his new mansion Madingley Hall.

In 1609 the Fowkes family acquired the property and began renovating it back into a habitable dwelling.

After decades of the house changing through various families it became the property of Lord Fairhaven in 1932. He lived at the Abbey until his death 1966 when it was taken over by the National Trust.

There are many interesting rooms in the Abbey along with a huge amount paintings and various objects.

It was quite difficult to photograph because of reflections but this beaded fire screen was stunning. As was the ornate pineapple clock which chimes on the hour and all the pineapples open out, we were not there at the right time to see this unfortunately.

The artwork and design was so intricately especially this ceiling made of plaster with beautiful coats of arms and motifs. 

The embroidery (again hard to photograph) was a section of an alter cloth, now behind glass as a wall hanging.

Upstairs all the bedrooms were plush, especially Queen Elizabeth's Room, this was where the Queen Mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon used to stay.

The Upper Gallery is an vast display of painting of Windsor Castle, each by a different artist and from all view points. It's an amazing display, some are by very well known artists. Lord Fairhaven seems to have had a fascination with this iconic Castle, there are many more such paintings in storage.

Downstairs in the Abbey was a huge walk in safe where the silverware was kept. The kitchens and working rooms had a 1930s to 1950s feel about them, especially the store cupboard which had many packages I remember from my grandparents.

We had a great time at Anglesey Abbey, the National Trust scones were delicious as always. It is certainly a great place to take a break whilst on a long journey.