Summer visitors

We were lucky this summer to have lots of friends and family to stay, some of whom we hadn't seen for a couple of years. It's nice for us as it gives us a break from working on the house and we get to go exploring. These photgraphs give a flavour of summer 2013.

Lots of these were prepared.

Preparation

Which resulted in quite a lot of these.

So you weren't hungry then?

We spent time on the beach at Old Hunstanton, which Mortimer and friend Ben thoroughly enjoyed. You've no idea how tired they were that evening!

Old Hunstanton beach

We did the tour at Elgoods Brewery and gardens and managed not to get stuck in the maze. Their logo is taken from the family crest which includes a black dog holding a key. Is it me or does it really look like a big bone?

Elgoods Brewery, Wisbech

Which did inspire us to take a couple of trips to the Beers of Europe warehouse. This is a fabulous place which not only sells beers, ciders & perrys from the U.K, Europe and all over the world but also has a huge range of spirits.

Beers of Europe warehouse

On one of the few overcast days that we had we visited Ely, spending a very long time in an antiques centre.

Ely

And Andrew mastered the art of making the perfect mojito.

What's the use of a herb garden if you don't use the herbs?

So with summer nearly spent we're welcoming the first of our autumn guests in a couple of weeks. Now where shall we go?

Bees & birthdays

We were quite worried about the butterflies and bees earlier in the year. 2012 had not been good weather for them and with a really wet and cold spring we noticed fewer hives in the orchards. But the long hot spell seems to have improved matters and although I can't compete with Margaret's butterfly photographs, we did get close to some of the bees collecting pollen from the hibiscus' in the front garden.

Last year Mortimer gave me a bag of dog biscuits for my birthday, which didn't go down too well with me. However this year he, allegedly, baked me a chocolate cake, although he had to have some help from Andrew when the ganache split. It was definitely better than dog treats!

Autumn seems to be heading towards us with a rush, our lane is populated in the evenings with people picking blackberries, the pickers have arrived for the apple harvest and Andrew took this shot of the field next door being cut.

I'll have to start sorting out the woolly jumpers soon.