Delight by JB Priestley is itself a delight. Some of his delights such as trying new mixes of tobacco and smoking a pipe in the bath in the morning may appear dated now, but they aren't that far removed from trying new wines and drinking a glass of champagne in the bath, both of which would appear on my list of delights.
Three nights in Aldeburgh are a delight, too.
As is all this wonderful space full of fresh air and light.
And the chance to be alone yet stay in touch.
To be able to read three books in three days. And get my work done. And plenty of knitting.
To watch the sky change colour. To wonder what it would be like to sit at the top of this tower and gaze out to sea.
To expand my literary horizons with Eric Newby and Susan Hill (both books are a delight).
To call this place home for a short time, but not do any cooking for a change.*
To come home with a head full of fresh delights and a box full of Burt's Chips which are the very best crisps in the universe but difficult to find, so we always stop to stock up here.
*Best of Suffolk is exactly that, and Naomi who runs the company with her husband is, you've guessed it, delightful. We book all our Aldeburgh holidays with them.
I have just last night read an article about Best of Suffolk in a housey magazine- with glorious photo spread of the house in Aldeburgh they renovated to hire and ended up living in. Lucky you! In same magazine discovered notonthehighstreet.com All very useful for future reference!
Posted by: magsmcc | October 16, 2009 at 17:14
It looks like a wonderful, relaxing time. So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing the photos with us.
Posted by: Jennifer | October 16, 2009 at 17:14
Looks and sounds heaven. Hope the weather was kind all the way through your weekend. We're having a lot of weather at the moment here in Norfolk, and it's not nice!
Posted by: Penny | October 16, 2009 at 17:26
I am delightfully jealous...as always!
Posted by: Susan | October 16, 2009 at 17:30
All looks lovely.
Is my part of the world - just a couple of miles away. I guess we take forgranted what is on our own doorstep.
Hope you called in for fish&chips too :)
Posted by: Vickislittleworld.blogspot.com | October 16, 2009 at 18:58
oh how I love Eric Newby. Have you read any of his others?
Posted by: trashalou | October 16, 2009 at 20:01
Did you enjoy Something Wholesale? I heard it first being read on the radio, thought it was amusing, but was disappointed when I read it myself. His other books are far more interesting in my opinion.
Posted by: Melinda Jackson | October 16, 2009 at 20:28
i loooove burts crisps!!
x
Posted by: wonderwoman | October 16, 2009 at 20:33
Thank you for the vicarious delight! Wonderful.
Posted by: Luisa Perkins | October 16, 2009 at 20:43
Have you seen 'Modern Delight' recently published by Faber and Faber at £10 in aid of a dyslexia charity? It's based on J B Priestley's 1949 book, and is obviously a modern version. Only available at Waterstones.
Posted by: Martina Tierney | October 16, 2009 at 21:41
What a lovely retreat and what blue sky!
Posted by: Cat | October 16, 2009 at 22:37
Love the picture pf the cloud bank! Now I'll have to look up those books - sounds like an idyllic three days!
Posted by: Laura | October 17, 2009 at 00:20
O fab - more book suggestions...most useful & generally interesting.
Posted by: Maria | October 17, 2009 at 03:49
that second picture is so captivating to me tonight... it all sounds so wonderful!
Posted by: ali | October 17, 2009 at 04:05
You take the best vacations, Jane! I would have loved to be there. Maybe, some day...
Posted by: Kristin | October 17, 2009 at 04:36
Jane, the first picture is absolutely stunning. It reminds me of Edward Hopper's paintings, somehow. Lovely!
Posted by: Anna | October 17, 2009 at 10:15
We book our holidays with them, too. And of course I have you to thank for introducing us to Aldeburgh in the first place!
Posted by: kristina | October 17, 2009 at 13:16
I love those photographs...especially the one of the partial house shot and and background clouds. It makes one think that is the only house around for miles and miles...very cool.
Posted by: Debbie | October 17, 2009 at 15:27
Oh that is so beautiful! There actually exist places not drenched by rain and suffocated by clouds :)
Posted by: anotherwannabehousewif.blogspot.com | October 17, 2009 at 21:18
What a lovely 'delightful' holiday. I am very jealous! I love the photos too - such a beautiful blue sky! xxx
Posted by: catofcuriosity | October 19, 2009 at 14:30
Looks lovely. Who would have thought the East Coast of England could look so inviting (speaking as a Lincolnshire lass). I love the duck egg blue door.
Posted by: Melanie | October 21, 2009 at 12:07
Someone else who reads Susan Hill! Her early books are my favourites, and her Magic Apple Tree is lovely (part cookbook, part autobiography). She has also written some teenage fiction, that according to my partner's 15 year old, was very good.
Posted by: Cybèle de Jong | November 04, 2009 at 14:37