Friday 2 August 2013

mini local tour



Moving back to my own house took me away from the sea, but to a much prettier part of the town. Although I am surrounded by streets full of very similar terraced houses, I actually like the bay windows and wooden porches and not very far away there are some wonderfully old period properties.

a few of the terraced streets
 
Like many English towns, there is a cricket green here. A triangular grassed area for the singular purpose of providing a place to play cricket, in the summer months. Traditionally, a cricket match would have been followed by a proper afternoon tea with cucumber sandwiches, cakes and scones, served at the cricket pavilion.
 
I live near Broadwater cricket green. It's not the prettiest green but it's a nice place to walk the dog, and if the pavilion is in use, they leave water bowls out for all of us canine lovers.
 
The rather plain cricket pavilion is on the right.
On the south side of the green (and too near the road for me) is this really pretty cottage. The road runs by the right hand side, and unfortunately it's overlooked by those ghastly looking block of flats, but isn't it pretty with the wisteria and roses over the porch.

 
 
Walking away from the cricket green past the very uninteresting local shops, you come to Broadwater Street East, which is the oldest street in the neighbourhood.
 
 
I found this old picture on the internet and although there is no date, I think it is early 1900's, the view is almost the same, just a wider shot.
 
 
And that last little house is for sale ! You can view the details here. It had been used as a shop with maisonette above, but it's teeny weeny inside, and I don't think I'd like to live...............
 
 
by the graveyard ! Would you want to spend £109, 950 on this ? that's about $165,000 or 1250,000 Euros !
 
 

 
On the opposite side of the road from the Churchyard, are my favourite houses, I'd love to take a sneak peak inside.
 
The first one has a lovely shade of grey/green on the doors and window frames, off set by the bright white (though I'd have to pull up all those weeds).

 
The next one is much smaller, though it has a beautiful arch over the door, that in my opinion desperately needs a climbing rose !

 
The third one is just gorgeous. Again it's set back from the street and I love the pretty porch, the wisteria and rhododendron.

 
Past this little row of houses are two much larger properties with high walled gardens.
 
The first would be the ideal property for me, because
 

if you go around the back


you'll find a double garage with an artists studio over the top !

Well that's what I've decided it is ! Wouldn't it be perfect though, the staircase leads up from behind the walled garden, to an extension that could be used as a green house, and inside there would be a little kitchen, and maybe even a bathroom..................................


The other house I have admired many times is on the opposite side of this road and could be used in a period drama (if you took away the signs, road markings, tv aerial etc.). It's a beautiful Regency property, with the original sash windows.


Can you see the rose arbour over the path. I'd love to look in that garden, let alone the house. At the back is another large walled garden where I've spied the top of a gorgeous looking conservatory.

 
They both have views over the church, and if the sea were 5 minutes in any direction, I'd happily have either of them !!!

 
And maybe you're thinking that I took these pictures on a rare sunny day in the UK, but actually we've been having a heat wave over here and the poor cricket green, no longer looks so green !
 
 
I think that's enough spying for one day, have a great weekend,
Fiona xx
 
 
 
 

16 comments:

  1. I loved taking this little stroll through you town with you! I love seeing the old buildings and their gardens and your thoughts on what would be inside. Am I imagining it or did you change your header and background? I love them! :)

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  2. It seems so lovely there Fiona. It finally comes to be a good change into your life. I'm glad about that! :)

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  3. Oh God Fiona - how absolutely gorgeous - what a perfect charming town - would love to stroll there myself - looks like something out of a movie !!!!
    Have a wonderful weekend - think I'll pin some of these beauties!
    XOXOXO

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  4. Hi Fiona!
    This was fun to take a mini tour around town. I too like the white home with the blue colored shutters and I loved seeing the comparison pictures too...very cool!

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  5. I have always been enamored of quaint little English towns. Everything is so cute and picturesque. Thanks for the tour.

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  6. I enjoyed that little tour very much. I love English towns and houses! It's been very sunny here as well and my garden looks like the cricket "green"!

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  7. What a lovely tour of your town. It looks like a beautiful place to live! Specially with that "unusuall" sunshine as you said.
    What´s the name of you town? I have some friend moving over to the UK.

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  8. Stunning photos of where you live... thanks for sharing!

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  9. Captivating! - I have read every word and studied every picture - your detailed description of each of them is just wonderful - may have to take a trip down there sometime! CJ PS I love the little one for sale - cute!

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  10. Oh it all looks so charming! I just want to walk around and look at all of those things...I kind of feel like I just did though! I have friends in Manchester and hope to visit someday and see things in your great country with my own eyes! Lovely tour!

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  11. Hi Fiona,

    What a charming little British town! Yes, that first house with the wisteria and roses is just adorable! My friend, Maria, lives in West Sussex and it was such a dream to visit that part of England with all its beautiful architecture, charming gardens and lovely people! Thanks for showing us around your neck of the woods, which are quite wonderful, indeed!

    Poppy

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  12. I just loved your walking tour of your fabulous neighborhood filled with history, Fiona! Your commentary had me smiling, too. When we walk around our town, I'll comment to my husband that the owners should trim their trees, paint the trim, etc. He always says I must not have been home when they called to ask for my advice. hehe

    I love all the interesting details on the homes and the brick walls that surround the properties. Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Does that heat wave and lack of water mean no more bowls for the canine lovers? And I did notice that sign that said Fudge Shop. I think I love your neighborhood.

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  14. such charming cottages, well, except that one for sale:) dog water bowls-great idea! old the old picture--great tour, fiona:)

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  15. You do what I do - walk through the neighborhood, trying to see as much as I can on/in the properties. Then pick out my favorites and imaging what life would be like if I lived there. My favorite is your favorite. I've often thought of building a studio above my garage - but it won't happen anytime soon.

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  16. With my door fetish, I fell for the first cottage. Strolling through town with you feels like I'm watching a BBC drama!

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