Gatwick airport ... :)

Well, we're ensconced in a fake-ish pub in Gatwick, waiting for our flight home.  David's gone to get some much-needed drinks :)

Why does flying have to be so stressful?  Apparently the two pieces of carry-on luggage that were fine with Thomas Cook flying TO England are not fine with Thomas Cook flying FROM England ... oh well, we're just going to have to try to talk our way through at the gate, I guess. Between this and over-weight luggage charges, we're feeling a bit fashed :)

Anyway, enough whinging!  I'm going to post a photograph to make me feel less stressed, although it may make me feel sadder at leaving my second-favourite country in the world:

This is the view from the church hill at Lavenham, and it looks like a painting by Constable, complete with expressive Suffolk trees and tiny cattle :)

That's better!

This is a gorgeous yellow timber house on the Market Place -- very inspiring for anyone tired of the black and white Tudor colour scheme preferred by the Victorians :)

This is the DeVere House on Water Street, and was right across the street from the cottage we were staying in! It was a bit surreal to open the curtains and find oneself staring at this magnificent building ... Look at that herringbone brick infill, and every timber is carved -- it's conspicuous wealth, Tudor style :)

And, finally, goodbye to England.  I'll leave you (and me) with this photo of the gate into a tiny walled garden on the Market Place in Lavenham ...