mybigadventures.com

...At least, we feel like we deserve a break after our two weeks of constructing and decorating our new summerhouse!

We'd booked a cottage in Battle, the historic site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066, in East Sussex, and made it down safely on Saturday after a few jobs - getting some new glazing cut and fitted, a third and final coat of paint, a trip to the tip... It was a good job that Sussex is only a couple of hours away. Had a good journey, with barely any traffic, and found our way to 'Little Barn', where we were greeted by the owner. A very bijoux little one bed cottage, with a small kitchenette. We got ourselves organised and then looked up a local supermarket to get some essentials. Struggled to find anything that we particularly wanted for tea in the supermarket - some options, but quite limited - but then discovered the local Chinese takeaway next door! So, instead, got some bits for breakfast and then stopped next door for a Chinese. Took only about 15 mins and we were on our way! Relaxed with some drinks for the rest of the evening. 

Sunday was bright and warm - maintaining the heatwave standards! We decided to take it easy so drove down into the town of Battle to visit 'Battle Abbey'. As it was English Heritage, we got in for free (winner, winner!) and so moseyed around at a leisurely pace - and it was very leisurely as it was very warm. More or less followed the audio tour around the grounds, learning some fun facts about the battle of Hastings, and then retreated into the shade of the abbey ruins. Although a ruin, there was still a fair part of the abbey standing, and beautiful medieval stonework. Treated ourselves to an ice-cream to cool down and then had a little wander in the town, dipping into a couple of shops before heading back to the car. 

We decided to go straight from Battle to the nearby Tescos, just outside Hastings, to get some more supplies as our foray to the local supermarket yesterday was not so successful. Managed to get ourselves some bargain Charlie Bigham meals, so all sorted for the week ahead! Headed back to the cottage in the late afternoon and just slothed about.

Managed to keep cool overnight and so felt a bit more refreshed on Monday. Set out to visit a couple of National Trust places nearby - it is quite a hubbub of NT places round here! Started at Bodium castle - an original medieval castle facade, although it is ruined on the inside. We could still go up a tower though, so got a good view of the surrounding area. Spent quite a bit of time wandering around the moat, watching dragonflies flitting about. Also caught a glimpse of some late ducklings - a little brood of four fluffballs, all so tiny! There wasn't a huge amount to see, so we stopped for a refreshing cream tea in the cafe and then made our way to Sissinghurst Castle garden, a beautiful garden originally designed by Vita Sackville-West, and, although it had suffered quite a lot in the heat, was still delightful - lots of separate garden 'rooms', often themed by colour. Ben spent many an enjoyable minute taking photos of insects on the flowers... while I sat, alternating between sun and shade! Stopped in the tea shop for a drink before making our way to the car and driving back to the cottage.