A very English Day.

Well what a treat we enjoyed today! Our neighbours invited us to join them and their Vintage Cycle Club friends for a ride to our local fete. But first we were all treated to a preview of their latest renovation! Their home is a complex of 1940's air force buildings which were built during World War II and comprised the dorms and hospital for Shipdham Airfield.
Their latest renovation is a most exciting project. All being completed in authentic 1940's style ready to be used for Garden and Horticultural Skills Workshops! Mr Doubleday, our friend, has worked as a professional grower and gardener for over 50 years and so the likes of us will be sure to gain an extreme step forward from even one days workshop!
But as if that were not enough, on completion of a course you gain access to the beautiful club room for on-going inspiration and support. Hubby is already keen to book himself onto the first workshops!
The site alone is an inspiration. Many buildings remain preserved but un-renovated. It is redolent of the history wrapped up in this area.
All covered over with beautiful English roses.
This is where Mr and Mrs Doubleday live. The first building to be renovated.
You can imagine I LoVE that ice-cream blue paintwork and the garden is, as you might expect, an English haven...
Delphniums, Hollyhocks, Lavender and Roses, just as you would want around a cottage window.
And inside the nostalgia continues... a quick peek? I thought you might want one..
I am in love with that armchair!
Now, did I mention bikes? Well, there were some very beautiful bikes too. All lovingly restored and maintained...
Although this family rode on a combination of 41 gears between us and our relatively new bikes were probably the tattiest ones there!
and at the fete the sun was shining on a perfect afternoon. Do you spy the Beryl tea-cups used in the village hall? Ah bliss!
Life doesn't get much better than this....
For me the Hardingham Fete is always one of my favourites of the year, not least because of their Flower and Produce Show. These events are a huge love of mine, A garden on a saucer...
Butterfly cakes....
Did you ever see such a fine butterfly cake??
Ripe and luscious fruits picked at their prime and proudly displayed...
Three roses one variety.....
And of course there was a plant stall presenting logistical problems for the long ride home!
And to top it all off, in true English summer style, half way home the heavens opened and we were soaked ....
Well, that's an English summer's day for you. Where would we be if we couldn't talk about the weather!
I hope you have all enjoyed a lovely weekend wherever you are in the world. t.xx

If you would like to know more about the Garden and Horticultural Skills Workshops at Doubleday Nursery which begin in late July this year, you can contact Mr Doubleday on 01362 820007 or email him adoubleday@doubledayandco.co.uk
Another neighbour is about to open her beautiful farmhouse as a Wolsey Lodge, so first class accomodation will be just down the road!
See you in the clubhouse!

Comments

Ticking stripes said…
Think the winning butterfly cake must have been a "painted lady"!
THISNTHAT said…
Just loved the nostalgia of Mr Doubleday's place. I will be trying to find out more. Thanks for the notes to help.
As for village fetes and flower shows ... so many happy memories from my 1950's childhood:)
Lesley X
Bobo Bun said…
What perfect names - Mr & Mrs Doubleday. Everything that is fabulous about England in this post T. even the rain. Just not when you're cycling in it.

Lisa x
Whimsical Road said…
I am awe struck by your photos of the airforce buildings.. so amazing. Here in NY, I was lucky enough to visit some WW2 bunkers and buildings.. all in need of some serious renovation.. but you can really feel the history there. How great to know that someone near you is putting those old buildings to new and exciting use.
Unknown said…
Oh I miss your England!! Lived by Lakenheath RAFB form 89-92! Everything but the weather! Love your blog.
Kelly
Anonymous said…
I just loved this post!

Well done Mr and Mrs Doubleday... thanks to them a valuable piece of history has been preserved and embraced.

I would love to visit there!

Thank you for showing England at its tip top best -rain and all.
What a lovely day out. And a wonderful use of an old site - so imaginative. I love these little hidden treasures dotted across the country.
Jo
KC'sCourt! said…
What a lovely day you had. It's ashame the cake has to be eaten!
Our village show is very similar. I love it, love it, LOVE IT. It gets very competative though, there was a new "girl" (around 70 yrs old) a few years ago and she won numerous cups and certificates much to the disgust of the regualar exhibitors. Most of the produce is auctioned off at the end of the show and makes for much fun and merriment. x
Helen said…
Just wonderful! Sooooh English!!
Love Helen
vanessa said…
I think I've died and gone to heaven in this post! Everything about it just makes me happy! The ethos behind the restoration, the vintage element, the love, the humanity, and the BEAUTY! I'm also entirely jealous of you having all this on your doorstep! : ) In the nicest possible way of course. Thanks so much for sharing this with us, I feel giddy with the excitement of this amazing idea that has been turned into a tangible reality!
You can tell we don't get much of this sort of thing here can't you?!!!
I also keep on forgetting to mention how much I love the fab new look of your blog!
Lots of love, Vanessa xxx (do you mind if i knit)
pinkfairygran said…
I had no idea about this... and it's not that far from me either, as the crow flies. How wonderful that someone has taken over these old buildings. I love old airfields, strange woman that I am, I know. But I have lived on a few in my time, and it always saddens me when the RAF (or whichever service used it) leaves and then it just goes to ruination. So many houses just left empty, when there are thousands and thousands in need of a decent roof over their heads. Luckily, our nearest at West Raynham, has been taken over by a property developer so at least the houses have been sorted out, and they hope to make a thriving 'village' type community one day. Problem is, like all such places, they are in the back of beyond with no transport links to towns, medical facilities in villages and so on. But loved this posting, and the photos, thank you.
How very, very wonderfully English!! Nina x
meplusmolly said…
Ooooo how fabulous! what a great day, it all looks just glorious! and definitely a proper english outing with the weather too! ;0
Flower Girl said…
Ooooh...sounds like you had a lovely weekend! Makes me wish I was back there...I grew up in Dereham! Love your pictures and I so enjoy hearing about your Norfolk adventures...

Rebecca
x
The Curious Cat said…
Wow - an interesting day - love the conversion and the ideas behind it! So creative! And that cake is sooo pretty - looks like a lovely day - it always surprises me how active people are and the things they get up to, whilst others just sit in front of the TV wasting their lives away... xxx
aneela said…
Sorry but first my computer won't let me view half your pics then your site tells me I can't comment today....these computers hate me!
lOVE THOse mini gardens in china bowls though!!
Ragged Roses said…
Perfick just perfick!
Kimx
Jenn Bontrager said…
Your blog is so lovely and it makes me smile! :)
I was just about to write Perfick..just perfick and I see my dear friend has beaten me to it... Great minds think alike and all that..
This really is nostalgia at it's best T and reminds me of the first village horticultural show I went to as a young child..in the grounds of Wellington College Crowthorne.. It will forever be indelibly stamped on my memory.. the smell of the canvas.. and most of all the miniature gardens and dodgy mishaped vegetables..
I think your friends home is the most inspired!!
Love it!
How are your blisters today?

MXX
lottie said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Rhiannon said…
I miss village fetes, they just don't seem to exist in cities :(
x
A time to dance said…
Dont know where to start I love everything especially inside the lovely lovely house, I remember makng minature gardens I used to love it a a child...what a fab memory...we have stacks of that pottery that you love at our church...they think its old fashioned...one day I should pluck up the courage to ask for it for a small donation...love H
Calico Kate said…
What a great day. Thanks for the peek into that fabulous house and it's surroundings. Very inspirational and desirable!
CKx
Kat S. said…
Loved the photos and the wonderful little peek into your life and surroundings. Thanks so much for sharing!
Anonymous said…
Love your blog..Hardingham Fete is also online... catch a glimpse at http://eoe.xarg.co.uk/fete/

love from the fete committee - maybe see you on the last Sunday in June?