Seems like the national game of the retirement community in England is bowls that is similar to the game of bocce that we play at home. Tom is captain of the men at their bowls club while...

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...Pearl is the ladies captain. The game has been played in England forever and still adheres to the old tradition of wearing "whites" when on the green. Needless to say we weren't allowed on the green in our jeans!!

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Today found us at Flatford, an area that is renowned for its wonderful walks in unspoiled countryside. The father of John Constable, the famous English painter, owned Flatford Mill. Here we found Bridge Cottage, a wonderfully maintained cottage with a thatch roof.

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Constable painted his famous The Hay Wain in 1821 right in this area. In that same year he wrote to a friend "I associate my careless boyhood with all that lies on the banks of the Stour. Those scenes made me a painter, and I am grateful...".

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Lavenham is said to be England's finest mediaeval town. The history of the town goes back a long way and owes its wealth and the splendor of its buildings to the woolen cloth industry.

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Most of the buildings here in Lavenham were built between 1400 and 1500. It became common to see houses like this one that were leaning this way...

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...and others with walls leaning inward.

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Lunchtime found us in the Cock Pub...

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Lunchtime found us in the Cock Pub...

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...enjoying a cider and pub fare.

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This wonderful parish church was built between 1486 and 1525 and is widely acknowledged as one of England'' finest parish churches. It is an example of "late perpendicular"style. Inside the church was some incredible hand carving that Al certainly enjoyed.

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Although many areas of England are replacing the red phone booths we did find this one in Lavenham. Black taxis and red phone booths are English icons!!

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St. Mary's Parish Church in Frinton is the smallest complete church in Essex County. The first recorded rector of this church was appointed in 1199 AD.

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The church was as amazing inside as it was outside!

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English poppies are a beautiful color red and definitely stand out along the country roads and in gardens.

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Pearl and Tom live a couple of blocks from the coast on the North Sea. These beach huts are very popular in the beach towns here. They are nothing more than a covered shelter by the water although some have port-a-potties in them. The land the hut sits on is rented from the town council while the hut itself belongs to the owner. You are not allowed to overnight in the huts.

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The bungalows in this area were evidently at one time summer places but have now been winterized and added on to. With all the rain this area has had recently, Al and Tom decided to take a few minutes to pull some weeds.

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