Twenty Counties of August... Week 2

Hello Ladies and Gents,

With Week 1 of our vacation being a truly wonderful week (see link here for the

View from Twinwood

blog: Twenty Counties of August... Week 1), Week 2 began in earnest however we weren't so fortunate with the weather. It was the bank holiday weekend and as usual the rains were back. However, we had planned to go to Lindy Lou's in Rayleigh and we weren't going to let the weather change this. With umbrellas packed we drove to Rayleigh passing through Hertfordshire and Essex to get there. The weather hadn't eased up so to cheer ourselves up we went to Coles Vintage Tea Room for tea and cakes. Now, I've previously written a blog on this delightful place (Link: 'Coles Vintage Tea Room') but I'm going to re-iterate how wonderful this place is. It's a small little cafe with friendly staff and delicious food. The scones are the best we have ever had - even after being in Devon!

Husbandy at Twinwood
Jacket: Lindy Lou's

After indulging in a hearty feast, we braved the storm that was blowing across Essex and went to Lindy Lou's. Again, I've mentioned this hidden gem before (Link: 'Lindy Lou's') but we had to collect a jacket they had specially made for Husbandy. We arrived and after speaking to the owners (who are friendly and nothing is too much trouble), Husbandy tried on some trousers and the jacket - the jacket was a perfect fit! Having a garment made to measure at Lindy Lou's does not cost any different to those straight off the peg and with this fitting perfectly it was well worth it! We were in Lindy Lou's for  a good couple of hours and we walked away with a jacket, shirt and trousers and I've ordered a gorgeous 1940s cardi - I can't wait to get it! 

Sunday had arrived and it was Twinwood day! Twinwood is a vintage event

Twinwood: Kai's Cats

with over 60 bands, all manner of vintage stalls, dance lessons, burlesque, dancing, tearoom, vintage beauty salon - a truly vintage experience that lasts three days. Husbandy and I only went on the Sunday so we got ready (I would like to note the hair and make up worked well), bought a spare umbrella and traveled to Bedford (this adding the county of Bedfordshire to the list). The place was really easy to find and well signed posted. We pulled up, parked, collected our wrist bands and went and found our friends who were staying there for the whole event. After a quick

Dancing at Twinwood

cuppa, we went down to the main arena. There was a big stage with a dance floor and areas to set up chairs. Stalls were all around the edge of the arena with repro and original vintage clothes. Husbandy bought a great suit from 'Some like it Holy' and I tried on some 'Freddies of Pinewood' and 'Terry Smith Saddle Shoes' (which I'm pleased to let you know I now own). A note to anyone who goes... take lots of cash if you can as there is plenty of treasures to be bought! We watched a couple of bands (one of my favourites being Kai Cats) and after some tea and cake and BBQ we went back to the Hanger for some dancing. We lindy-hopped for a good hour or so but sadly as we were not staying we ventured back to the car and drove home. Twinwood was fantastic and I'd definitely go again...lets just hope we are as blessed with the weather!

Moi at Twinwood

The next few days we stayed in London (we ventured to Richmond so Surrey was now on the list as well as the City of London) just enjoying the sunshine and relaxing. On the Wednesday we went to Islington to see a burlesque show in aid of Dixie Evans week. I had always wanted to see Banbury Cross and I wasn't disappointed - her act as Marilyn Monroe was glamorous and had oozed sex appeal plus she does have the best bum ;). The Host was hilarious with his jokes and mannerisms and all the burlesque acts were captivating and filled the air with exotica and imagination :). It was a last minute call to go and a good one!

Clifton Suspension Bridge

Our last big adventure was to Bristol (and I forgot to add Buckinghamshire from last time). If you've never been to Bristol I would highly recommend it. As this is where we are from (and where we met) we know the City like the back of our hands. After visiting a few old haunts we went and sat up by Clifton Suspension Bridge. The sun shone and it made the bridge, estuary and Bristol look spectacular. After wondering around we then went into the town for a mooch and then decided to make a move home.

Moi and Gromit in Bristol

So there you have it... 20 counties in 2 weeks (we also went to Warwickshire but this was a swift visit)... a lot of happy memories created and a time when I truly relaxed and forgot all about work...it all seems like a long time ago now... but writing this has reminded me of the great time Husbandy and I shared together and how lucky we are. With Autumn now looming its time to get the sewing machine out and make some pyjama bottoms! 



Links to places/ good websites:

• Twinwood: http://www.twinwoodevents.com/
• Kai's Cats: http://www.kaihoffman.co.uk/
• Some like it Holy: http://www.somelikeitholy.com/
• Morellos: http://www.morellos.co.uk/
• Freddies of Pinewood: http://www.freddiesofpinewood.co.uk/
• Le Keux Hair and Beauty: http://www.lekeuxevents.co.uk/vintagehair.html
• Dixie Evans Week: http://www.dixieevansweek.com

List of Counties:

1. Middlesex
2. Buckinghamshire
3. Wiltshire
4. Somerset
5. South Gloucestershire
6. Gloucestershire
7. City and County of Bristol
8. Bath and North East Somerset
9. Devon
10. Monmouthshire
11. Shropshire
12. Herefordshire
13. Worcestershire
14. Surrey
15. City of London
16. Bedfordshire
17. Warwickshire
18. Essex
19. Hertfordshire
20. Berkshire

Happy Holidaying x

'Coles Vintage Tea Rooms' ... another hidden gem in Rayleigh

'Anyone for tea?'

Greetings Ladies and Gents,

Today's blog is all about the delights of Rayleigh, Essex! I wrote a blog on Lindy Lou's (which is in Rayleigh) in March and I can't express how super this shop is. It sells primarily replica patterns for men and women from the 1940s along with some original vintage pieces. The great part about this shop is that there is no pressure to buy anything but I bet you don't leave empty handed! 

After our journey to Rayleigh we needed to re-fuel so we 

Decorative lamp shades

headed straight to Coles Vintage Tea Rooms. When we came to Rayleigh in March we saw this little cafe but decided to head home instead as it was so cold! This time we made sure we had plenty of time and went for a snack-let. On entering the cafe you are hit by the attention to detail. It's decorated like a 1940s tea-room with art-deco lights, old newspapers, vintage tea sets, bunting and even an art-deco bathroom! We sat down and ordered some lunch - I ordered ham, fried egg and bubble and squeak and husbandy ordered Cumberland sausage sandwich both with lashings of tea. 

Afternoon Cream Tea

The food arrived and we tucked in - I haven't had bubble and squeak for an age and it was divine - I even managed to grab a mouthful of sausage and it was scrumptious. After eating our lunch we were toying on whether to have cake now or later... but as I'm weak the decision to eat cake was now! There was a counter displaying a vast array of different cakes from chocolate to coffee and walnut to scones. I ordered my favourite cake which is the lemon drizzle cake and husbandy ordered the Afternoon Cream Tea. The Afternoon Cream Tea came with two scones, jam and clotted cream plus strawberries and small pieces of chocolate brownie all beautifully presented on a cake stand with a pot of tea. The lemon drizzle cake came with a sprinkling of icing sugar and a strawberry. The cake was just so light and moist - my mouth was having a little party and it did not want to end! My husbandy said that they were the

Lemon Drizzle Cake

best scones he had ever tasted (and he has tasted a few!). The tea at Coles Vintage Tea Rooms (which makes a damn fine cuppa) is there own infusion and the tea selection is endless - you can even buy the leafs to make your own at home! The food was delicious, the cafe had a relaxed atmosphere and the staff were friendly - my idea of a perfect cafe

My Handsome Husbandy

After all the indulgence we thought we best stop otherwise we would need to buy bigger clothes! With full bellies we waddled up to Lindy Lou's where the search to cloth my man began. My husbandy is a tall, slim fella (6ft 4in) and has trouble finding trousers that are long enough... so with some thorough searching through the racks we found a good selection of 33 inch leg. He tried them on and it was like they were made for him! He also wanted a jacket, but didn't have the one he wanted and we thought 'bum', but to our delight the owner said she could make a made to measure and even in the same fabric - smiles all round! We were in Lindy Lou's two hours...the time just flew by. We walked away with two pairs of trousers with a jacket on order... plus a head-piece for me!


Rayleigh is a true hidden gem in south Essex. Not only does it have a great vintage shop and splendid tea room but it is has plenty  more to offer... I could spend a whole weekend there and still need longer. It has a lovely high street with shops you normally find on a high street plus other shops you wouldn't expect to find. I wanted to rummage through the charity shops and fabric shops but ran out of time! There is also a healthy vintage scene in Essex - especially in Southend-on-Sea - so come on; what are you waiting for... 

Happy Indulging x

P.S. Nearest Train Station: Rayleigh (trains leave London Liverpool Street approx. every 15 mins). Only a 8 minute walk from the station. 90 minutes in the car from West London and ample of parking.

'Lindy Lou's' - Belle of the South-East

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen,

Earlier in the week, when my long weekend was fast approaching, Husbandy and I were wondering what to do. Husbandy was looking at eBay and noticed I had put some vintage clothes in the 'watch list' (or hint list as I like to call it!). He started to look at what they did more closely and contacted the seller to see if they had a shop and to our delight they do! So yesterday, I phoned 'Lindy Lou's' to see if they were open and when they said 'yes' we were ready and heading East to Rayleigh, Essex. 90 minutes later we arrived at the quaint town of Rayleigh and wondered around and at the top end of the high road there it was, 'Lindy Lou's'.

Lindy Lou's shop front

We walked in and were presented with an array of vintage replica (and some original) clothes for both men and women. I was in vintage heaven as there was such a wide selection of clothes to choose from! After having a look around and selecting a few pieces to try on we started chatting to the owner. We were talking about the store (which had only been open 7 weeks) and the replica garments. The replica garments are all made in England and from original 1940s/ 1950s patterns and made by very talented seamstresses. For men the items range from trousers, shirts, jackets, hand knitted jumpers, hats and some original vintage items. For women again the range from hand knitted jumpers, cardis, skirts, blouses, dresses, head-wear and a whole range of accessories. 

I tried on some swing trousers, Freddies of Pinewood jeans, blouses, a wiggle dress and an emerald green jumper. I fell in love with all the items - especially the swing trousers  - but they were sadly too short. When the owner saw this she said that we do make made to measure so sizing is not an issue. This made my day as swing trousers always come up as ankle biters on my long legs and at last I have a solution! After trying on my items, Husbandy tried on some great pieces. In the end we walked away with three jolly spiffing things and will definitely be back for more! Afterwards we went for a wonder around Rayleigh and it has a great high street. There was a wonderful vintage cafe called 'Coles Vintage Tea Rooms' and next time we will be going in there!

With the goodies...

'Lindy Lou's' is a little gem in Southern Essex. It's a well presented shop with friendly owners who are more then happy to help. The bonus with this shop is that the clothes are made in England and by being made in England the clothes can be made to measure. There are also some great original vintage pieces. If you're into vintage, rockabilly, swing, jive - anything to do with the 1940s/ 1950s this is a great clothes shop for you and well worth the trip. Also don't forget to check them out on eBay - eBay name 'qbiffer'.

Lindy Lou's Flyer

Nearest Train Station: Rayleigh (trains leave London Liverpool Street approx. every 15 mins). Only a 8 minute walk from the station.