Celebrating a very special friendship ....

I've just returned from a lovely trip to England, and with a very special reason.

Guess the following photo says it all ....

Forty years of friendship, isn't that special. So celebrations were in order and the best way for us to do so, was a trip to our beloved England.
All excited we left by boat from Hoek van Holland to Harwich. There was a strong wind, but also a gorgeous sky.
Like two teenagers we laughed a lot watching Bridget Jones's Baby , in what turned out to be a private cinema on the ferry, as we were the only one present.
This made up for quite a stormy passage ....

After staying in a hotel in Harwich on our first night, the next day we went on our way to the

  cottage that would be our first home during our trip. 

It was just as lovely as on the website. Beautiful views outside and a lovely cosy atmosphere indoors ....

The next day we spent in the wonderful - and still so very beautiful in the colours of Autumn - city Oxford ....

First we visited the Pitt Rivers Museum and we were already impressed with the inside of the building ....  

With beautiful details ....

And so much to see ....

This one was taken out of his glass display, because he is no longer in a very good condition. Now he has a prominent place on the counter with the request to touch and caress him, so you can feel the softness of his coat, how wonderful is that ....

And look who I found amongst all the other beautiful birds ....

Along our way we were attracted by this entrance and just had to go into the beautiful Wadham College 

By entering there was a very friendly man who asked if I wanted to make pictures. I guess my camera drew his attention and he told me where to go if I wanted to see a lovely garden .... 

Well he hadn't said too much because this was our first sight when we walked through the archway ....

I can honestly say that I haven't seen so much variety in flowers still blooming in November ever before ....

We continued our way and passed the beautiful Hertfold Bridge, often called the Bridge of Sighs ....

And at the perfect place when you're slightly addicted to doors ....

And of course went into the footsteps of Inspector Morse and had a drink at the Turf Tavern ....

Next on our list was a visit to New College, also known as one of the Harry Potter film locations ....

My previous visit was in the Summer but it was just as beautiful in Autumn ....

The beautiful Hall (dining room) ....

We also admired the wonderful stained glass in the chapel while the Organ was played ....

Time was going fast because the next day we already went to our next location, but with a nice stop on our way.
You may already know I recently opened my own Webshop and there was still one thing high on my list to add to our collection, the beautiful range of Jane Hogben Pottery!

So I took the plunge and asked whether it was okay to visit and talk about the possibilities to cooperate.
And that's how I arrived in " Hogben heaven" ....

We were very friendly welcomed in their home/workshop and the result was that I went out with a box full of Hogben gorgeousness .....

Then we continued our way to our next cottage in West Sussex to find out that the name of the cottage  -

The Old Stables  - was very appropriate, as these were our neighbours .... 

We arrived just in time to have a walk in the beautiful surroundings before nightfall ....

And wake up with this mystical garden view the next morning ....

One of the reasons to visit this area was a visit to The Winter Brocante 2016 at Cowdray Park ....  

It was my first time to visit this lovely fair during the Winter but just as in Summer such an inspiring experience, and lovely to see so much familiar faces again .... 

On the advice of a very sweet lady, we then headed to the lovely village Tillington to have lunch in The Horse Guards Inn .... 

You were so very right dear Jill, we loved the cosy atmosphere and the food .... 

Afterwards we made a short walk in the village, don't you just love all this ....

The gorgeous view from the church ....

Because it was another lovely day we also wanted to have a walk and where to go when this is on your doorstep, Petworth House and Park .... 

Needless to say we've enjoyed ....

Being so near we just had to visit the lovely town Petworth ....

And so very hard to keep your wallet in your purse ....

On our last day I wanted to show my friend the beauty of the South Downs ....

Another wonderful walk through all the beauty England had in store for us during Autumn ....

And soaking up this wonderful view ....

So surprised to find this one still flowering ....

And to see these wandering around ....

The first time I visit this wonderful place with my husband a couple of years ago (you can read all about it here) I couldn't hide my excitement finding the view I always admired on one of the lovely accounts I follow on Instagram.

I wanted to show it to my friend but didn't seem to find it. You can imagine how happy I was it just appeared on our way back to the car.

So lovely to share this on our special trip ....

Our last night we returned to this lovely place to have dinner and talked about how we both enjoyed this trip but most of all, our company ....

It was such a wonderful trip. How special it is, being able to celebrate forty years of friendship like this.

Our return home came much to soon but also lovely to return to our families again, with a less stormy journey homeward ....

Because I'm so very pleased to have the privilege to sell this beautiful range of pottery on my Webshop I'm running a *giveaway*

 on my  Facebook Page and Instagram Account that ends on 11am Sunday 11 December!

So go and have a look if you want to win this gorgeous Jane Hogben Sheep Mug. 

Success and have a good week!

Anita

~xo~