In the footsteps of ....

Whenever I go on holiday, I try to combine nature with culture. To me it's the perfect mix to make my days out a success.
Last week, when in the Lake District in England, my two friends and I managed to do a bit of both.

We followed in the footsteps of William Wordsworth the poet, of  Beatrix Potter the author and illustrator and of John Ruskin, art patron and critic. All passed away a long time ago, but the homes, gardens and interiors they created, the hills they walked on, are still there for us to visit, to enjoy, to learn from and get inspired by.

We made some beautiful walks too, near Coniston, Ambleside, Grasmere, Rydale and Tarn Hows. Starting off at seven o'clock in the morning and finishing before noon. Because of the warm weather, with temperatures over 25 degrees Celsius, this was the best way to enjoy the countryside and not get too hot and tired. In a local newspaper one of the headlines read that we had: 'One of the best weekends ever'. I don't know what 'ever' means, but it made me realise how lucky we were. There is a reason for those hills to be soooo green!

The coming months I will be showing you some more photo's now and then, but this is it for now. Hope you had a wonderful week too.

Happy week ahead!

Love,

Madelief x


Grasmere: photo 1, 17, 22 -  Tarn Hows: photo 2, 7, 9, 10 -  Hawkshead: photo 3,  6, 19, 20  - Rydala: 8, 11, 14,  18, 26 - Brantwood: photo 13, 23, 24 - Holehird gdns, Windermere: photo 15, 16 - Hill Top: 25

Serendipity

It was one of those dreary summer days with grey skies and continuous downpour. Days like this are never what you wish for, especially when on holiday.

The girls and I were staying in a cottage in the Peak District. After a morning walking around Bakewell, having seen all the shops, several cafés and being thoroughly cold and wet, we were at a loss what to do next. An afternoon of board games did not really appeal to me, but with no better alternative, it had to do. When heading home by car, we came upon a sign along the road with the words 'Haddon Hall'. I could remember reading something about it and I had seen some photo's, but I did not write it down as a 'must see'. As the girls were keen to check it out and the alternative wasn't one of my favourite. We gave it a go.

How wrong I had been not to put it on my list. The castle is one of the most enchanting places the girls and I visited. It's situated on a hill with a view of the river Wye, and so very romantic. The medieval house has remained virtually unchanged since the reign of Henry the eight and has some of the finest untouched interiors. You can see the long gallery in one of my photo's. The light there is really exceptional.

To me best of all are the 17th century terraced gardens overlooking the river. The exterior walls are adorned with climbing roses and there are colourful borders. Although the rain kept on falling, the place looked magical with a hazy mist hovering over the gardens and the river. To make our day ever more special: my youngest daughter found a four leaf clover. Just what we needed :-)

If you would like to visit Haddon Hall, please  have a look at their website.

Have a lovely week!

Madelief x

Design Classics and Vintage Treasures

 

 

 

 

A ten minute drive from the seaside, close to Breskens and the Belgian border, an old farmhouse is nestled among fields. When you come from Ellewoutsdijk and drive in the direction of Hoofdplaat, on the N678, you can't miss it. A long driveway with huge trees leads you to it. It looks striking.

When you enter the house through the back door, it immediately feels good. The high ceilings and large windows on both sides, make it light and spacious. There is colour everywhere. From the blue walls in the sitting room, the green bedroom to the orange clogs in the hall :-). I love the interior: the comfortable grand mother chairs combined with vintage lamps, old and new photo's, the large kitchen table and the stylish bathroom. However, what I love best is the amazing view. When you look out of the window, past the old willow trees and the well taken care of garden, all you can see is rows of onions and potatoes. In the distance some cows are grazing and the white flowers of  the maw seed dance in the wind.

When you step on your bicycle, it's only five minutes before you are at the Wester Scheldt. We loved to go there after dinner, to see the sun set and look for seals on a sandbank in the estuary.

My friends are still working on the house, but to me that only adds to its charm. Things don't have to be all done up and perfect, to be beautiful! If you are interested in renting it, please have a look at their website Datisonshuis. You will spot it immediately. The house can accommodate up to six people. It has all mod cons, and you can use their bicycles as well.

Happy Wednesday! Hope it's just as sunny in your part of the world as in mine!

Love,

Madelief x