We had our first frost yesterday and it felt like quite a shock to wake up and discover the landscape had gone all white and wintry looking. I had to keep reminding myself that we are indeed in November now, and things like frost and ice are supposed to happen in November. It is Seasonal Correctness, and I am rather fond of that.
It was an especially beautiful day mind you, pretty perfectly Novemberish. Cold, oh yeah it was very shivery cold. But crisp and bright, with the most incredible cloudless blue sky up above.
The light was wonderful, all slanting and golden and uplifting. As you can see, my crazy crochet lamp has somehow remained here at number 24, skilfully managing to blend in and not make J cross any more. I have such a soft spot for that silly thing, it makes me smile on a daily basis.
See what I mean about the light? It made the colour of everything sing and dance yesterday, and that endless blue-blue sky up above made me feel so happy.
My attic view has gone brown now, but in the late afternoon it looked golden. Beautiful.
We were away from home for a few days last week, quite a long way from home. Two hundred and eighty five miles away to be precise, down south in the depths of Kent.
These photos were taken at a very beautiful, luxurious manor house where we had the pleasure of staying for a night. Gosh, it was posh! We have become so accustomed to caravan and youth hostel accommodation, that a private cottage in the grounds of a tenth century manor house seemed very grand indeed.
It was a joyful affair.
A beautiful family wedding (J's youngest brother) that managed to be both formal and relaxed, and full of the best sort of emotion.
Little Lady (that's her above) had the honour of accompanying the bridesmaids in her role as Flower Girl, and she radiated happiness. It really was a lovely day.
As it is such a long way to get to Kent from Atticland, we decided to travel down a couple of days before the wedding and spend a little family time pottering around the place. I booked us two nights at Canterbury Youth Hostel, which was really wonderful. One of the YHA's recently refurbished properties, it is a stunning mix of old and new. A gorgeous old Victorian Villa, all painted up beautifully inside and decked out with modern furniture and fittings.
I liked Canterbury very much, even in the rain. It reminded me of York in so many ways, with a great many similarities.
It was certainly very picturesque, busting at the seams with beautiful architecture and a wealth of history. And people too. Even in November, in poor weather, the city centre was bustling with crowds of shoppers and tourists.
We didn't have a huge amount of time to explore, but it was enough to get a feel for the place and know that I liked it.
From Canterbury, we hopped on a bus and trundled off through the wet Kent countryside to see what the coast had to offer. Such a shame about the weather (walking on the beach in the rain was a bit short of feel-good), but we made the most of it. By the way, this is Whitstable on the north Kent coast.
It was such a mixture of a place, not at all what I was expecting. I will show you some more of it next time, see what you make of it. It was pretty great being beside the sea though I have to say. Even with the rain blowing sideways into my face.
x
Hi Lucy.
Just been reading your blog from the beginning, and I love it. I've recently taken up hooking after I was inspired with your blog.
I see you recently visited my part of the world 😊
I recognised the manor house as it's where I spent my wedding night, such a lovely place.
I hope you enjoyed Kent. I have family in Yorkshire, so hope to move there one day as we love it up there.
I know what you mean about Canterbury being similar to York.
Keep blogging and hooking Lucy.
Xxxx
Posted by: Sheila Feeney | March 15, 2014 at 11:59 AM
Hello Lucy. I spent three months as a student in Canterbury about 20 years ago. I loved it very much, and I also visited little Whistable, but I found it a bit boring.
I love your proyects and your blog and visit you every now and them.
Kisses from Spain.
Posted by: Rosana | November 12, 2013 at 11:58 PM
Hello Lucy, great pics!! I'm from Barcelona, and 20 years ago, I used to spend my summers in Canterbury, with a lovely english family. I've got lots of good memories of it!!It's a great place and there were an unforgottable summers.
Posted by: Laura | November 08, 2013 at 11:10 AM
Lucy, I live in Ashford, Kent, a stones throwaway from Canterbury and previously lived in Whitstable. I'm so glad you were able to enjoy your time there in spite of the miserable weather. I love your photos and hearing of your adventures. As much as I love Kent, hubby and I are preparing for a big move to the south-west next year - to Cornwall - my childhood home. I'm glad we have family here in Kent that will keep me coming back to visit.
Posted by: Diane | November 07, 2013 at 08:09 PM
Hi Lucy glad to see you liked Canterbury I work there and live in Herne Bay a lovely seaside town often over-looked by its neighbour Whitstable!
Posted by: Sue | November 07, 2013 at 05:44 PM
Wow...it's so lovely in Kent! And I have been in Canterbury, which I love, too. It's sweet memories!
Posted by: Unn | November 07, 2013 at 02:12 PM
Oh Lucy what a lovely weekend away. I long to go somewhere like that, where everything is so quaint. I also long for some blue sky. Looks like we might have it today. Crossing fingers! I wanted to let you know I finished the ripple blanket I started a year and a half ago! From your pattern. I love it. It fits my queen sized bed. I just did a tadaa post. Pop over if you have time. I hope all is well with you.
Cindy Bee
Posted by: Cindy | November 07, 2013 at 12:42 PM
Lovely pictures as usual Lucy ~ I've never been to Canterbury but can definitely see the similarities with York. Love the fact that you have managed to hang on to your beautiful crochet lamp ~ it looks great alongside all your cosy blankets! :O)xx
Posted by: Jackie | November 07, 2013 at 11:21 AM
So beautiful pictures. I love your crazy crochet lamp!
Posted by: marmarel | November 07, 2013 at 10:14 AM
I've only been to Canterbury a couple of times and Whitstable once. I liked Whitstable and the oysters are amazing, should I say that being an Essex girl? Of course The Essex oysters are great too! And yes your journey from North to South would have been long, to travel that distance in the US is a breeze. Another lovely post your photos make everywhere look good and what a special day for your little lady!
Posted by: Miriam | November 07, 2013 at 09:09 AM
Lovely photos - I am a Kentish Maid (born in Shorncliffe Military Hospital) so it fun to see some great autumnal pics . . . . especially as well are now under snow in Canada!!
Posted by: twotoast | November 07, 2013 at 04:35 AM
What a lovely weather there ! I miss crisp mornings so much, though here in the foothills of Himalayas we also can get 0 C degree at night!
I LOVED the city in your pics! And that manor is just a dream destination for me!
Have a nice day!
Anna
Posted by: Anna | November 07, 2013 at 04:20 AM
Lovely to see the sunshine in your photos, Lucy. It has got very wet and dreary down here in Norfolk, real November weather! I've cheered myself up with some colour today, making bright felt bangles; I don't knit or even crochet much these days but I know how you cheer yourself up with colour as well. Your photos often inspire me to get cracking with a bit of felt or fabric!
Posted by: Lynne Gill | November 06, 2013 at 11:16 PM
Oh Lucy-i cant believe you came to Whitstable and I missed seeing you!
I actually live in Whitstable and nearly fell off my seat when I saw pictures of the beach and of Canterbury on your blog.Whitstable is a lovely, quirky place to be. Ive lived here most of my life but somehow cant bring myself to move away-my family are so happy here by the sea. I hope you managed to enjoy a bit of the charm and explored some of the various alleyways hidden away. Love Clare x
Posted by: Clare | November 06, 2013 at 09:24 PM
Just lovely. And a wedding to attend, so much joy. Love seeing your pictures!
Posted by: Mary | November 06, 2013 at 08:37 PM
Made me nostalgic! Born and bred in Canterbury, with many sunday trips up to Whitstable as a child. Was that eastwell manor? Luckh uou, if so!
Posted by: jen | November 06, 2013 at 07:24 PM
How lovely for Little Lady, being a flower girl is v special and her posy was beautiful! I love being able to peek out of your window at the dales, such a treat. Thank you too for sharing your trip with us, I was hoping to be out and about last week but wasn't well so your pics have cheered me up, and on the bright side I had lots of hooky time for my Christmas wreath! Jo xx
Posted by: Jo Navin | November 06, 2013 at 07:18 PM
Just love all the pictures! We had our first icicle here the other morning - what a surprise it was!
Posted by: Katie | November 06, 2013 at 07:01 PM
Lovely to see pictures of my hometown, Canterbury. I have recently moved up to Shropshire and feel quite homesick seeing the wonderful City. I have stayed at the Manor too on a spa weekend, glorious!
Posted by: Sandybeth | November 06, 2013 at 06:37 PM
Yet again you seem to be following my holiday pattern, we go to all the same places! I liked Whitstable, we stayed for a week in summer, but wasn't too keen on Canterbury, probably because at the height of summer everybody you saw was a tourist and there were hundreds of kids who were at English language summer school. I'm sure it's a bit more serene in November!
Posted by: Liz cumbo | November 06, 2013 at 05:56 PM
What a lovely surprise to see my home town (City actually) through the eyes of a visitor. It really is a great place to be, always buzzing, and has a great little sewing shop too! I have just returned after a visit 'up north' passing through Skipton a week after Yarndale. Another beautiful part of UK. Love your blog - so inspiring.
Posted by: AnnieS. | November 06, 2013 at 05:10 PM
I thought I recognised Canterbury but havent been there for over 20 years when our children were young.. We went to the Canterbury Tales museum and had to keep checking out to make sure what I was hearing through the audio guide the children werent hearing the same through their headphones (they had the PG version thank goodness)! Must go back for a visit... I live in Sussex so its not that far away.
Posted by: sue | November 06, 2013 at 04:50 PM
Dear Lucy,
I just made some of the most darling Holly Jolly leaves from your tutorial. I had some bright green mohair in my stash. They are so cute and fuzzy. After I make some red mini pom-poms for berries, I am going to attach them to a Christmas sweater I have just crocheted for our one-year old puppy. He's really going to turn heads this season!
Posted by: Marsha | November 06, 2013 at 03:36 PM
I can't remember the last time I was in Canterbury, yet it's not so far from me here. Whitstable is a lovely place to visit, so pleased you enjoyed it too!
Posted by: Jacqueline | November 06, 2013 at 01:27 PM
You make a gray day brighten. I'm glad you kept your lamp, i'm now busy with mini ones.
Thakyou.
Posted by: Sarah | November 06, 2013 at 01:09 PM