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England 2014, Friday Aug. 15: Sutton Hoo!!!!!

From a staff, at Sutton Hoo Burial Ground, near Woodbridge, Sussex, England

From a staff, at Sutton Hoo Burial Ground, near Woodbridge, Sussex, England

Back in 1978, I saw the Sutton Hoo artifacts at the British Museum for the first time.  And I NEVER forgot them.  The incredible artistry in the gold and silver works was stunning, especially because they were made in circa 625 a.d.   Seeing them again so many years later, they are still astounding.   As I mentioned in this post, which has lots of photos, you can see them at the museum and go to the burial grounds now (the lands were not public back in 1978).

This post is about our visit to Sutton Hoo Burial grounds.

Eli and I arrived before the facililty opened, but after the grounds opened. Owned by the National Trust, families may come and visit, picnic, hike the grounds. So we did! This photo is shortly after we began our walk looking at Woodbridge in the distance, just across the river. Think of rivers as the interstate highways of the days of yore--if you wanted to get some place in a hurry, going by water rather than overland was the way to do it. It's only a few miles up hill from the river to this place.

Eli and I arrived before the facililty opened, but after the grounds opened. Owned by the National Trust, families may come and visit, picnic, hike the grounds. So we did! This photo is shortly after we began our walk looking at Woodbridge in the distance, just across the river. Think of rivers as the interstate highways of the days of yore–if you wanted to get some place in a hurry, going by water rather than overland was the way to do it. It’s only a few miles up hill from the river to this place.

On the way to the path in the photo above, we passed a playground for families with squirrelly kids who need to burn off some energy. This includes 16 year olds . As we found ourselves saying across England, isn't this a great playground, gosh this would never exist in the US because somebody would sue somebody else if a kid got a skinned knee. Imagine, a zipline (low down obviously) in a playground!

On the way to the path in the photo above, we passed a playground for families with squirrelly kids who need to burn off some energy. This includes 16 year olds . As we found ourselves saying across England, isn’t this a great playground, gosh this would never exist in the US because somebody would sue somebody else if a kid got a skinned knee. Imagine, a zipline (low down obviously) in a playground!

There were blackberries and these in abundance. Eli and I snarfed quite a few blackberries, reminiscing about San Juan Island. I think these are currants, but wasn't sure so we didn't test taste any. Great art inspiration though.

There were blackberries and these berries in abundance. Eli and I snarfed quite a few blackberries, reminiscing about San Juan Island. I think these are currants, but wasn’t sure so we didn’t test taste any. Great art inspiration though.

Trees. England does trees. BIG trees. Majestic trees. Trees made for climbing. Eli is a climber. By 6 months of age he could clamber out of his high chair, climb into his high chair, in and out of his crib by 18 months (hence the early switch to a bed with guard rail).

Trees. England does trees. BIG trees. Majestic trees. Trees made for climbing. Eli is a climber. By 6 months of age he could clamber out of his high chair, climb into his high chair, in and out of his crib by 18 months (hence the early switch to a bed with guard rail).   Keep in mind it would take multiple adults to hold hands and hug this tree, that’s how big it is.

Now look UP. Waaaaaay Up. Yep, that's my boy!

Now look UP. Waaaaaay Up. Yep, that’s my boy!  He is 5’9″ tall, so he’s WAY UP.  I did not pass out from holding my breath.  Barely.  I have this irrational fear of falling which extends to my kids, too.  But Eli LOVED it!

On the walk, we passed a farm and these awesome four-horned sheep, which someone on Facebook (where I posted some of the pics during the trip) told me these are Jacob's sheep. Cool! More inspiration.

On the walk, we passed a farm and these awesome four-horned sheep, which someone on Facebook (where I posted some of the pics during the trip) told me these are Jacob’s sheep. Cool! More inspiration.

At last, time to go in to the facilities, then go on our walk of the grounds.

At last, time to go in to the Sutton Hoo facilities, then go on our walk of the grounds.

And wouldn't you know it...opposite the register/till where you pay your entry fees, a quilt! WOOT!

And wouldn’t you know it…opposite the register/till where you pay your entry fees, a quilt! WOOT!  Wish I knew who made this.  If anyone knows, please tell me and I’ll add the information!

I bought a book about the site which has this photo that shows some of the area that was excavated. Burial mounds were subject to frequent raiding over the centuries and many of the magnificent artifacts were looted.

I bought a book about the site which has this photo that shows some of the area that was excavated. Burial mounds were subject to frequent raiding over the centuries and many of the magnificent artifacts were looted.

A burial ship being excavated. The burial mound that was source of the most stunning Sutton Hoo artifacts, however, had partially collapsed, so the grave robbers missed the center point (where the good stuff is usually buried with the deceased). That meant it was STILL THERE, and now lives in the British Museum.

A burial ship being excavated back in the 30s. The burial mound that was source of the most stunning Sutton Hoo artifacts, however, had partially collapsed, so the grave robbers missed the center point (where the good stuff is usually buried with the deceased). That meant it was STILL THERE, and now lives in the British Museum.

I took about a thousand (well, maybe a hundred) photos in the exhibit area, and as many as I could manage while we had our tour of the mounds. This was the only day it rained, and it POURED.  The heavens opened.  We got rather wet despite having good rain gear.  But it was still cool!

Here are some of the artifacts of a horse bridle at the Sutton Hoo facility. Other items at the facility are reproductions, as the British Museum has a huge building and massive security for the gold works.

Here are some of the artifacts of a horse bridle at the Sutton Hoo facility. Other items at the facility are reproductions, as the British Museum has a huge building and massive security for the gold works.

A closer iew of the goldwork. Aren't those designs amazing?

A closer view of the goldwork. Aren’t those designs amazing?

Our guide and some of the mounds in the burial grounds.

Our guide and some of the mounds in the burial grounds.  In this photo we are standing atop the mound where the most stunning artifacts were found.

And Eli on the left, daypack under the jacket, walking back to the exhibits area.

And Eli on the left, daypack under the jacket, walking back to the exhibits area.  A dream of 15 years to visit here, since I heard the public could finally get access.  Contended sigh.

And that photo up at the top, here's the staff/sceptre. Incredible!

And that photo up at the top, here’s the staff/sceptre. Incredible!

Here's the Woodbridge train station that afternoon, where we began our 4 hour journey (three trains) to York.

Here’s the Woodbridge train station that afternoon, where we began our 4 hour journey (three trains) to York.

More design inspiration in the supports at the train stations.

More design inspiration in the supports at the train stations.  A thermofax screen perhaps?

At the YHA (Youth Hostel Assn.) York Hostel, my first ever Pimm's. It will NOT be my last: cucumber, strawberries, 7 Up, Pimm's, citrus over ice. Summer perfection.

At the YHA (Youth Hostel Assn.) York Hostel, my first ever Pimm’s. It will NOT be my last: cucumber, strawberries, 7 Up, Pimm’s, citrus over ice. Summer perfection.

Next up on the England trip, York!   But quilty goodies in between, too.   Stay tuned!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2014 at 9:32 am and is filed under Inspiration, Travels. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

5 Responses to “England 2014, Friday Aug. 15: Sutton Hoo!!!!!”

  1. Marsha Says:
    October 21st, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    I loved reading your post about England. I am heading there during the holidays and hoping to see some of the museums you talk about. I also enjoy Pimms too, introduced to that in El Paso.

  2. Sandy Snowden Says:
    October 21st, 2014 at 12:29 pm

    The berries are elderberries! And make a good pie that is quite similar in taste to blueberries. Because blueberries are not as prevalent here.
    I know you can get elderberries in West Virginia area.

    In the spring people pick the flowers to make elderflower cordial – a non-alcoholic concentrated drink to dilute with water. Like what we call squash here. Perhaps you have had Ribena or other such drink? But elderflower cordial has more of a grown-up taste.

    Sandy
    PS the find I have been struck with most is the Staffordshire Hoard. My small textile art group did a set of work based on the Hoard. Mine was stitching directly on large gallery wrapped canvas.
    Just a week or so ago there was a Viking Hoard found in Scotland. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-29582866

  3. Jacquie Says:
    October 21st, 2014 at 1:04 pm

    I thought they were elderberries as well. Melanie and Georg make wonderful jams with these, often combined with other fruits,and a very tasty liqueur. They do a lovely sirup from the blossoms as well. Next time you are here remind me to give you some!
    I had heard of the Sutton Hoo artifacts but hadn’t realized they were so very lovely. No wonder you wanted to revisit them!

  4. Whiskers Says:
    October 21st, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    My first thought was elderberries too. We used to pick, juice, mix with crab apple juice and make a yummy jelly.
    Ah, to be a piece of lint in your pocket. Oh, the places I could go.

  5. Gail Barus Says:
    October 21st, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    I live in a rural area in NV & have learned to love it(14 yrs). We owned a home on Wescott Bay on San Juan Island for 23 yrs…we were snowbirds spending summers on SJ & winters in Laguna Beach. We loved both places…..unfortunately my husband died of a malignant brain tumor in 2009 after 3 yrs of doctoring. We sold our homes on SJI &Laguna Beach migrating to the desert…..I didn’t mean to make this so long but I desperately miss SJ……we were on the water so had our own clams & oysters. Crab pots right outside our bay kept us full of delicious meat. When you mentioned SJ in this post I am curious, We had berries on our property…..I’m afraid I’m not a baker but my husband would make a pie every year. I have been enjoying all your blogs for months…..I have been in England years ago…..all your beautiful photos brought many memories back! Thanks for sharing…..Gail Barus