Its raining, its pouring, it must be England by the Sea

We had a fantastic weekend hosted at the Clarke's holiday home in Suffolk by the sea.  Lots of fresh air walks, lovely food and drink, comfy beds.  I think they're ready to open that B&B!  

View from the pier

The bright beach huts remind me of the Canadian Maritime house colours.  Guess everyone needs some cheeriness when the skies are grey.

They told us it was a quirky place, but I think some of the local activities should be monitored with adult supervision.

Wonder if there are sound effects with this?

I think public climbing of groins should be restricted too.

I guess they like their personal space

We also broke the law.  Apparently ignorance is not bliss and we didn't even know it was a newt.  Rest assured, it wasn't a witch.  We put him back safely in the garden.

"... turned me into a newt!  But I got better..."

I was going to say that we spent a lot of time around the cozy Aga in the quintessential English dotty kitchen warming up with a cuppa.... but I see the usual suspect wine bottles were on the table.

Nothing says English country house like an Aga ... and a French Crueset pot.

I got pretty excited about the Aga!  Clapping hands!

E, not so excited.  I mean, "I'm wet and have you seen the floods I'm wearing?"

To round out the full British seaside experience, we went for another walk in the rain.  And then for a proper fish lunch.  So authentically fishy that the restaurant used to be a fishing shed and they own the boat that lands the fish!

Is this rain ever going to end?

E, excited.  Smoked salmon....and dry-ish.

Now this is fish and chips!

And a side order of mushy peas.  Does it get more cliched?

Thank you for a fantastic weekend.  It wouldn't have been the same without being soggy.

Lest we forget

Lest we Forget

In Britain, Remembrance Day is observed on the Sunday before the 11th of November.  We had the honour of attending the Canadian Remembrance Day ceremony at the Canadian War Memorial just outside Buckingham Palace in Green Park.

A poignant ceremony was officiated by His Excellency Gordon Campbell and BGen Overton.  This year observes the 100th Anniversary of of WWI.  By keeping acts of remembrance we  honour those who fought for the precious freedom we enjoy today.  

Adrian looking official

Delisa looking poppy-ish.  

Padre Zibby 

The service

Chelsea Pensioners

Reflecting on the day

The laying of the wreaths.  

Remembering
our recently fallen

The bagpiper

The Canadian High Commission hosted a reception after the ceremony where we met the Chelsea Pensioners.  E was pretty taken with these fellows.  She was also keenly on the hunt for more hors d'oevres.  Being well trained, she also brought extra for Mommy.

E with a Chelsea Pensioner.  They're the celebrities of any official event in England!

E about ready to hold court.  Or find a good read on the shelves behind her.

Shhh! Don't tell anybody, but I found some change under these cushions!

E with His Excellency Gordon Campbell.  "Psst. Maybe you could hand over extra change in the sofa for those renos at Canada House in Trafalgar Square".

To mark the 100th anniversary of WWI, the art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red are on display at the Tower of London.  There are 888,246 poppies each representing a British fatality during the war.  It is a very moving and beautiful installation.  Despite pleas and petitions, the installation is only extended until the end of November.  We had the fortune to see it this summer.  

Poppies filling the moat

We will remember them.