Saturday, June 20, 2015

England, Day Two, Part One






Have you heard it rains a lot in England?  Oh yes indeed it does.  It doesn't matter to us--well not much!  We're in ENGLAND and we are prepared!  We have our brollies (British plural for umbrella) and our jackets.  It is a chilly day but we are ready to explore.

Today we are travelling to Stoke-on-Trent to see the Potteries.  It is the World Capital of Ceramics!  Many of the famous china we all know and love was first manufactured here.  Sadly many of the famous potteries have left England for Asia.  Today I wanted to visit the Emma Bridgewater Factory.  I have been collecting her mugs for years now.

After eating some toasted Sally Lunn bread with peanut butter and some grapes we picked up at Waitrose (grocery store) we headed out.  This bird greeted us as we went out the door!




I had no idea what kind of bird he was.  After returning home I looked him up and I believe he is a magpie!  He stayed around our place for the whole time we were there.  So neat to see him!

When we got in the car I pushed the saved places button and then selected Emma Bridgewater.  We headed down to Stoke-On-Trent to visit the Potteries area.  We were travelling along in the rain and I was trying to be the encourager. 

Along the way I managed to enjoy the scenery.  Look at the beautiful rapeseed field.




We made it there safely--hey, I think we're getting better at this driving thing!  Also we were happy that the rain had all but stopped!




These are the roses that frame their doorway.




It was so much fun going into their shop and seeing how they make their beautiful pottery.  There are many temptations available  to one who likes their pottery.  Needless to say, I was in EB heaven!






You can go into the decorating room and paint your own mug--like Susan Branch did.  Well I was not blessed with the talents of Susan Branch and decided not to paint a mug.  There was a sweet couple doing a very fine job on their mugs.  In February of this year the Duchess of Cambridge came to Emma Bridgewater and did paint a mug.




Aren't the ladybugs the cutest!  Everything at Emma's is so colorful and happy.  

We decided to eat in their tearoom.  Cornation chicken salad and Thai lentil soup was our choice for lunch.  The soup warmed our tummies and the sandwich was delicious.  It came with a wonderful salad and coleslaw.  It was plenty for us to split!




I must show you this amazing stove at Emmas!  Isn't it beautiful?




On the wall in the tearoom is a collection of tea towels that they have designed over the years.  I especially loved the National Trust tea towel.




Speaking of The National Trust, let's leave Emma's and visit one of their properties.  It's up in the Peak District and I can't wait to show you.



22 comments:


  1. That stove is amazing! Blends right in! Your lunch sounds wonderful!

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    1. Is was an amazing stove, Dotsie. They had their own kitchen and make all of their food fresh. ♥

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  2. Did you purchase anything?! Someone on Facebook posted the code for receiving 20% off and free shipping until sometime towards the end of July for American buyers on her website. They said when you go to buy it you'll be switched to the American site to pay. The code is EBSUMMER20 They have several designs that you can have your own words put on the mug.

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    1. Cathy, I actually used that code before we left and I also bought some of their "seconds" while in their shop. I see nothing wrong with them and the prices were wonderful! ♥

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  3. That does look like fun! All those dots, though, would have made me dizzy. LOL My favorite thing is probably that pair of dotted mud boots! There is a little ditty that refers to the magpie, 'One for Sorrow, Two for Joy...' You'll have to look it up sometime. I had never seen a magpie before going to England, and a woman pointed one out and recited the poem! It is so much fun to follow you on your trip. There are flowers everywhere, aren't there! And don't you love how everything is so close to everything else, geographically! (I've mentioned this before, but England would fit inside the state of Wisconsin. Makes it easy to see so many places while in the country.) I'm so glad you brave souls rented a car. It makes getting from point A to point B so much easier, as long as it's not through a big city. :-) Looking forward to the next installment.

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    1. Judy, yes that dotted stove in my home would turn on the vertigo. The dotted Wellies were cute and would brighten any rainy day. I'll look up that poem about magpies--This was the first time for us seeing one. England is quite small, but we managed to put almost 2,000 miles on the car. I think renting a car is the only way to really see a country. Thank you coming along on our adventure! ♥

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  4. What a cheerful place! I actually wear polka dot wellies with a matching brollie. My husband says, You look so Margot. LOL

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  5. What a wonderful morning, Martha Ellen! Heartfelt thanks for taking us to Emma's! It looks like such a charming, happy place! I admire her pottery, but don't have any. The polka dot Wellies were the first thing that caught my eye! Thanks, too. for sprinkling in the British English and all the small moments that made your morning so special. I'm enjoying every day of your adventure... and sharing them with my husband, too! Big hugs! ♡

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    1. Dawn, it is so much fun to have you along--and your husband too! Thank you for sharing my memories! I still can't believe we took this wonderful trip. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. xoxo ♥

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  6. I've just come across your blog and am already loving it. As with Susan branch's blog its great to hear about my country from another perspective. I do hope you both enjoy your visit here and that the weather improves!
    I have just retired from teaching and live in the east of England (Cambridgeshire)

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    1. Welcome, Jane, Thanks for coming by! I hope I do your beautiful country justice. We just loved it there! ♥

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  7. That is an eye poppin pottery! The stove says it all. (Tell your hubby i think he is darling!)

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    1. Jeri, that is a good way to describe Emma Bridgewater---particularly the dot design. Jeri, we don't want his head to get any larger, but I'll tell him! I sure do think so! He's my sweetheart. ♥

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  8. Oh, Dear Martha Ellen, I am only just starting to play catch up on blog land, and ~~~ let's say this is going to take more time than I thought now! Just a quick note today then to say a cheery Hello! because I think I'm going to have to read back quite a bit here to get the whole picture. Will be back in a jiffy! Deb xoxo

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    1. Hello to you, Deb. It's so nice to hear from you. I thought of you many times as we went on our grand adventure. Sending you sunny thoughts and blue skies! ♥

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  9. Catching up after a crazy busy weekend...

    What fun!! The Emma Bridgewater pottery is wonderful. I know it was a thrill for you, as a collector, to be able to visit her shop. And that stove...wow!! I'd have had to check out that clearance rack too. :)

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    1. Cheryl, thanks for coming along to Emma's with me. I hope you are staying cool this warm day.♥

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  10. I love Magpie's, we have one that sits on our front wall, they are cheeky birds.
    Your trip to the potteries looked wonderful, I can't wait to see what house you went to next, Derbyshire is beautiful.
    Fondly Michelle

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    1. Michelle, we had never seen a magpie. He was quite interesting and we were able to see him every day. I'm glad you are coming along with me on our adventure. I feel sure you have probably been to our next stop. It was just beautiful! ♥

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  11. Martha my DEAREST!!!
    I have been very absent in the entire blog world! I have had surgery on my hand and we went away (again to VT) I have missed so much and shall spend the days to come savoring here and catching up!! XX OO
    (and now I shall be going to England through your memories and wonderful posts)!!
    Many Blessings love and warmth Linnie

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    1. Dear Linnie, I am sending you healing prayers from your surgery--Take it easy and rest as you should. I'm so glad you are coming along on our adventure! It was a trip of a lifetime for Grayden and I! xoxo ♥

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