Gilleleje

On our recent trip to Denmark we headed north to the coastal town of Gilleleje. This is a favourite destination for summer holidays with many Danes having 'summer houses'...

There were lots of timber houses like this one, painted in often, dark colours, with contrasting white painted windows...they would look terrific in the snow, during winter.

Some were nestled in the foreshore, overlooking the ocean...

Looking out on the 'Kattegat'...

This thatched roof cottage looked very English..

The harbour was buzzing, with a jazz festival in full swing...lots of people and loads of atmosphere...

It was chockers with fishing boats, like this very cute little red one..

However, we all decided that this pleasure craft was the winner...

We stayed in a 19th century castle called 'Havreholm Slot', deep in the woods...

This was one of the out buildings...looking like something out of a fairytale..

The pool looked inviting...such a pity it wasn't warm enough for a dip..

Inside was a delight with gorgeous furnishings...

The dining room sparkled with chandeliers...

The trompe l'oeill was quite amazing...

This lovely old traditional Danish stove looked a pretty picture in the corner.

And after breakfast, a place to have a little rest...

A few new finds.

I know I have not been blogging recently (sorry Alice), but we've had some issues with this ole computer...and when it is working
the Internet is soooo slow...uploading photos is a real chore, so sometimes I just lose interest...

But one thing I never lose interest in is hunting out treasures...and recently I came across a few beauties...

I can't resist old red books and I thought that this pair were quite smart...

look at those spines.

What did Mother say...

Well I'm sure she said 'Well done' to Rosa for her regular attendance...

And what about the cherries...I think we better buy our own..

I wonder if Philip Smith liked cherries...

I then tottered off to a collectibles fair on the recent bank holiday and I'm very happy with these finds...

I thought that this little girl needed to come home with me...she definitely needs a hug...

she was painted in 1891, such a long time ago...

I've been after one of these domes for ages...and I found a man with loads...they used to have clocks or stuffed animals in them...now people buy them to display various items. He told be about a lady who bought a large one to display her 'Jimmy Choos'...perhaps her feet had swelled and she couldn't wear them anymore!!

I also found this ebony mirror with the little monogram, a while ago in an antique emporium...it goes nicely with the more ornate silver one.

Linking up with Laura at Happy Homemaker

Blue Hydrangeas

My poor hydrangea fell over in the wind and most 

of it snapped off...so there was nothing for it

but to pick the bits that weren't

too badly damaged and have a play...

Some old apothecary bottles filled the bill...

with no water needed as I might leave them to dry naturally...

However, the light was poor today as England 

has turned on a cool, dull, grey day...

But with a little help from the photo editor, 

the results are not too bad...

Linking with Sarah at Good Life Wednesday.

Epernay

Bonjour, today I am taking you on a tour of Epernay which is home to some of the leading Champagne manufacturers including Moet et Chandon, Perrier-Jouet and Mercier.

The most famous street in Epernay is Avenue de Champagne...residents say it's the most expensive street in the world because of the millions of bottles of champagne stored in the chalk cellars beneath...

So, of course, a famous street deserves some top notch accommodation and the Hotel de Ville will do just fine...

With our cameras madly clicking away, we made a bee line for Moet...we were working up a thirst...

We passed Dom Perignon on the way in...he is credited with developing the 'Methode Champenoise'.

The interior of the Chateau was beautifully decorated...

I would have loved to sit in this drawing room, sipping on a champas...Moet of course...

This chandelier is made of hundreds of champagne glasses...

Across the road is the original chateau, which backs onto the vineyards...

This old monogram at the gate proclaimed a distant heritage..

Typical French rooflines...

intriguing doors...

amazing facades and grand entrances...

this avenue has it all.

Another favourite...Perrier Jouet...celebrating 200 years...

I don't remember what this building was, but I just loved the simplicity of the white with the black balconette.

We stopped at the cellar door of 'A Bergere'....for a well earned drink...

then we headed back down the road, past this private home with a very exclusive address...

Looking up the avenue...which, as I understand, is in the running to be named a UNESCO site.

I hope you enjoyed this snapshot of my visit to the Champagne region of France...next stop...Denmark.