Are you ready to see the Emma Bridgewater Factory? I hope so because here it comes! Visiting her factory here in England is something I’ve been wanting to do for so long! And now, we did . . . Let me sing a happy song . . . and take you places you’ve never been before!
I just had to show you this . . . I love English public bathrooms, they’re all so different and cute, you never know what you’ll get; lots of them have wallpaper, cute old tiles, framed paintings, and pretty paint colors; some of them even have hand cream in them! It’s practically like home! This one, with duck carvings over the door and a chain pull on the toilet, is up a narrow green-painted staircase, on the third crooked floor of a famous old bookstore called Scarthin Books in Cromford, Derbyshire (pron. Darbyshir). Thought you’d like to see it! (Wouldn’t want you to miss anything!)
So there we are (if you squint and look really close) at the far left end of those buildings, see the teeny silver sliver? That’s our car, parked in front of our cottage where the peacock (now named Darcy; had to name something Darcy!) lives called “Weathericks” in Wirksworth where you should all go someday (and say Hi to adorable Jean for us) because it’s heaven there as you can jolly well see! We got in that car, and drove about an hour away to the Emma Factory.
XOXOXO
So, off we go . . . we follow GPS when we go anywhere, and it’s really good; I don’t think it’s ever made a mistake, but it takes us on all the shortcuts no matter how small, harrowing, narrow, and out of the way the road might be. Sometimes we find ourselves climbing teeny weeny remote mountain curves and think, this just can not be bloody right!!! People living on country roads in England are probably standing in their yards shaking their fists at the sky (at the GPS satellites) for bringing fun foreign drivers like us into their neighborhoods. I wouldn’t want to scare anyone, but I can’t help but laugh when I see this (drying my hands on my pants.) When Martha Stewart travels, do you think she screams in the car???? Is this normal? Probably not. I promise you, it’s not always like this. I just like to give you the best of the best!
XOXOXO
For extra relaxation, we break up the driving with bookstores, pubs (pah sida!), antique stores, canal walks and ducks, which more than makes up for dodgy cow-path roads. Checking the bird book we found out the duck-like one with the white bill is a Coot, and those cuties with the huge feet are the baby chick coots.
It’s a little over an hour drive through festive little towns festooned with flags and bunting for the Diamond Jubilee; GPS (England calls it “Sat Nav”) takes us to Stoke-on-Trent, the home city of the Emma Bridgewater Factory — this was the first picture I took as I got out of the car. So excited!
Cute for the factory workers! Stoke-on-Trent was the center of the world when it came to gorgeous dishes; bone china, earthenware, pottery, it was all made here, Johnson Brothers, Wedgewood, Spode, the very finest and most beautiful was made in Stoke.
But it all fell apart (I will never understand why as I still cannot get enough beautiful dishes!); this city, totally built on the dish industry, went into a serious and very sad decline.
The bottom of Emma mugs are as beautifully decorated as the rest of the cup! I fell in love with Emma Bridgewater, her desire to do everything the “right” way, her conserving ways, her attention to detail, when I saw my very first mug. She retires designs after a while, which is the good news and the bad news, they become much more collectible that way . . . so the one you see above is no longer being made. I love this cup, it says “Love & Kisses” on the outside, and “Best Friends ♥” on the inside! How could she discontinue the most perfect gift in the world? I don’t know! I also love that her dishes fit in just fine with my old flea-market-collected sets of dishes. Because really, she makes them the exact same way as my antique dishes were made, and in the exact same spot!
(I love the way the English tell you ↑ they want you to slow down to nothing.) Stoke-on-Trent, with all the empty factories, and talented workers was the perfect place for Emma Bridgewater to put her “pot” business (“pot”=”dishes,” in Stoke-talk). They needed her, and she needed them. So, when all the rest of the world was turning their back on Stoke and the pot business, that’s when Emma began making dishes there; she took over the old Charles Meakin factory, and began to hire. She ran toward the burning building. And she’s young, only in her 40’s now!
I think that Emma’s factory must be a bright spot in Stoke. Prince Charles even visited the factory in 2010! What an honor! And the roses? Of course! They can grow roses right out of pavement in England! Am I happy? Yes, I am.
So off we go on our tour, Joe and me and maybe six or seven others, led by a sweetheart named Jan, there in the spotted apron (they call polka dots “spots” in England). Inside each of those boxes (molds) is thick earthenware creamy pot mix; it’s either a cup, a jug (what they call a pitcher), a bowl, or one of the other shapes they make, the old way, one at a time. I was truly surprised to see how MUCH goes into one little cup!
The factory was decorated for the Jubilee, just like all the rest of England! And this is only one room!
Each piece works its way through the factory, that’s a lot of pot moving! Stopping at each station for the individual treatment it needs before it finally makes its way across the sea to us in our studio, or out to the rest of the world; truly “Handmade in Stoke-on-Trent.”
I loved how they had plenty of jugs and cups for their work!
Custom-made sponge stamps are dipped in paint and put on the mugs one at a time! The sponges are hand-carved too, right there in the factory!
Here’s Jan telling us how they come up with some of the sayings they put on the cups with decals (one at a time – can’t quite get over that!); the yellow is a kind of sealer that burns right off when they fire the pots. Crikey!
Shelves of production go on and on; the rose pattern is hand-painted on the cups. This is how the colors look before they’re fired … which brightens and darkens them considerably.
An English factory always takes time out for tea! Good news is they never have trouble finding a nice cup to have it in! (I’m doing a terrible job of telling you exactly how the pottery is made! This website has a much clearer and detailed explanation of how everything really works at the factory, in case you have more questions, Dad.)
Because I’m not very techie; I’m more interested in the people side of things . . . we could tell how proud everyone was to be working there; proud to be making all this British beauty, proud to be part of such an amazing craftsman tradition; this woman pulled off her glove to show me her Jubilee fingernails! Love it!
I waited until tea time to sneak Petey into the picture!
Oh yes, like all good English establishments, the Emma Bridgewater Factory has its own tea room — also, a gift shop! All my favorite things! And best of all, there was a design studio where visitors can design their own cups!
How wonderful, we wanted something special to bring home to remember this trip by (not that we’ll ever forget!). Our own mugs! Lovely!
So I made an “ENGLAND ♥ 2012” cup, and Joe made a “Queen Mary” cup. Isn’t his ship perfect? He is so talented, my guy!
They give you paint, special pencils to draw with that will burn off during the firing, and they show you how to fix the drawing if you make a mistake! They let you practice and have sponges there for people who want to use them. The color goes on sort of pale, but gets much clearer and brighter once it’s fired. You can choose any shape dish or cup they make and just sit there, draw on it, paint it, and drink tea to your heart’s content. In the end, you’ll have your very own Emma Bridgewater cup! One of a kind! Worth the trip across the Atlantic!! We left them there, they’ll fire them, and ship them home, they’ll be there when we get back! Pretty neat, huh?
Then, of course, we went shopping and absolutely fell in love with this cup celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Yes, we got one, couldn’t help ourselves. Too cute.
AND, we loved it so much, we thought you might fancy one too! Would you? I hope so, and if you do …. just leave a message in “comments” at the bottom of this post (click on the really pale gray letters!), you’ll be entered for a drawing! In a few days, we’ll randomly pull out a name (I hope so much it’s YOURS!!!); we’ll LOVE to send you this memory of our trip to England!
And one last thing before I go . . .
Another bit of a surprise, news from the real world: you know how last year we ran out of our calendars? So this year, we asked to get them early … and guess what, Kellee wrote to tell me they just came in!!! Both the 2013 12 x 12, and the mini calendar! The rest of them will come at the normal time. We are going to try really hard not to run out this year!
OK Girlfriends, that ought to keep you busy for a while. I will give you one last little hint about the next post . . .
This was the sky over Beatrix Potter’s house. . . a dream just came true. ♥ Does that mean an angel got his wings? I think so! Bye for now, xoxo, Girlfriends Forever! Me.
Susan, Thank you so much for the tour of Emma Bridgewater’s factory. And, yes, I’d love to have one of her diamond jubilee mugs! <3
This trip is like a window into my Mum’s past. She was born in Leeds and took me to England at three years old; alas I don’t remember a thing. So now I am hooked and will have to make a trip. Thanks so much for sharing!
What a great trip. Looking forward to each new adventure. Thanks for sharing with us, Susan.
….wow, you are up over 700 comments! I remember the 70-100 comment days! I am so happy you and your husband Joe are having a great time. It makes me smile. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed……about the cup. ps – you are looking very British these days:)
Susan, I’ve been wondering for some time now if you’re a speed reader? I know you read every single travel blog response as well as those in the other areas of your website plus all the books you read AND all the artwork, book writing, sewing, cooking, kitty-playing etc… to accomplish as much as you do…. you MUST BE a speed reader. Either that, or you never sleep! Also, I think you mentioned you’re going to see James Harriot’s vet clinic — I’ve loved all his books! Have you seen the “All Creatures Great and Small” PBS series? Hard to believe, but I think the series is as good as the books, very faithful to the stories, the era, to English culture and most importantly, the films have the same feel of the books. Just wonderful!!! England-loving Girlfriends, don’t walk – RUN! to NetFlix or Blockbuster or your local library and check the videos/dvd’s out, you’ll love them!!!
-Marianne-
I am loving traveling with you! I have always wanted to see England and you are the best tour guide! I would LOVE the Jubilee mug (or either yours or Joe’s! They are beautiful and I love your printing around the inner rim!)
Cheerio…Carry on! <3
Love your English entries. We lived in the uk for a year and really miss it. Mt favorite mug for the jubilee is the same Flotilla nug you chose!
Susan, I so loved reading about your visit to the Emma Bridgewater factory! Lucky you. I don’t have any Emma Bridgewater. Maybe some day, I especially love her teapots. They are so beautiful and cheery.
Thank you for your blog, I can’t wait for each new entry!
Sandi
Cheers to you and Joe and your dreamy trip to England! It takes me back to 1975 when my family moved there and left me at college in California. I got to visit at Christmastime which was as you say a dream come true. I began my collection of Christmas Spode back then, never knowing I would fall in love and marry Mr. Christmas!
Can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!
I always thought Joe was Mr. Christmas, but you definitely have the real thing! 🙂
Oh what a wonderful last name!!!!
The picture of U in the area outside of that factory is the BEST of you in England you look so British just love love love the outfit with tights….
The best vacation I’ve ever been on, thank you so much!
Susan,
I am enjoying your trip more than you know. I feel like a mouse in your pocket, I’m there too. Great adventures. I cannot say enough. I loved every one of your posts and am really excited to see Beatrice Potters place. Meanwhile I loved this one with the Emma Bridgewater factory. Awesome, and the road trip with the GPS directing you through small little roads was quite a hoot! I loved how it looked like you were driving on the right side of the road instead of the left side when that car came at you from around the curve. Wow! Scary – Fun! Stay safe, this has been great! Can hardly wait to see your next post. Thanks again for bringing us along, it’s been truely wonderful!
Oh my gosh! It was so interesting and exciting to see this post!! I’ve been waiting for the Emma Bridgewater tour!! Loved it!! How very cool that they let you design your own mugs! What a very clever idea!! Thank you for such an awesome tour!
This year has been really tough. I had forgotten how it could be to really LoVe your job. Believe me I am thankful to have a job but it is not a joy. Tears of joy sprang forth not just because of the magic you share but in less than 6 short months a fresh new year starts. Thank you for reminding me.
Nothing ever stays the same, the good news and the bad . . . xo
Oh Eugenia – my heart aches for your sadness but sometimes we HAVE to travel the rocky path to get to the smooth road where the sun is shining. xx
Hi Eugenia…I can’t stop thinking about You ! We are living in such a
crazy world, huh? Yes some days we are just “Grateful!” to have a job
as they keep taking so many things away…our hours, our benefits…but
Eugenia….don’t let them take away your JoY!!!! And so glad you are
here to share in the world of Susan….she has the Spirit to make any
dream POSSIBLE !!! She can be Your dayDreams on those dreary
days! Just know that I’m sending you some sunshine and hope you
know that you have A LOT of us girlfriends out here!!! Wanna sit by me
the next time we have to crowd in the suitcase?….. and usually there
are a few snacks in my pocket !!!! Just teasin….but I will be your friend.
Take Care and ……just Smile : .} : .) : .> : .] : .}
Aahaa!!! ….said I wanted to send you some SunShine……
and look what my mom just sent me & she now loves…….
youtube.com/watch?v=oXvJ8UquYoo
and they do sound British, yeah?
Hello Eugenia….every one of us have gone through the valleys of life and still do from time to time….it is so worth it when you reach a peak in life and there are so many to come for you. Stay positive and on the dark days where you feel sad and empty just look around you and all the beauty of this World is there for you to enjoy….Dawn and I are suitcase buddies and there is always room for one more…oh, she does have snacks I’m convinced she uses them on our journeys across grassy meadows to keep the cows away from chasing her?? You are never alone the Lord loves you and wants you to be happy; you have so many girlfriends probably more than you want right here. Join Susan on her blogs she will make you smile and feel loved and we will be here when you want to chat…we all have lows and they make the highs that much sweeter!!! Blessings
Ohhh…this is getting exciting! I know the real gift is being able to vicariously travel alongside you and Joe (you are doing a great job, but the way, of including the rest of us!) but I can’t help but also get excited about your Emma Bridgewater drawing!
Thanks for all the videos and vivid recollections- just like your other readers- I am pleased as punch to be along for the ride!
🙂
Kathleen
I have absolutely been enjoying your vacation vicariously. Your photos and commentary have been terrific, and I almost feel as if I am taking your trip with you. Would I love to win the diamond jubilee mug? You bet your bippie on that one! Have a wonderful rest of of your trip.
Hi Susan. I’ve enjoyed hearing about your trip. Thank you for sharing!
What fun! And I have to tell you I’m still laughing over the GPS video!!! Too, too funny! Thanks so much for taking us along with you to England! It sounds like you’re having a jolly good time!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to let us enjoy your trip ~ super exciting! Wouldn’t we all like to be Petey right now. C: Anxiously waiting for the Beatrix Potter tour! Got the 2006 movie from netflix and almost wore it out! And thanks for your generosity ~ someones going to be very happy with such a delghtful treasure! Heavenly Blessings to you and Joe! Cathy in Idaho
Thanks so much for the little trip to Emma’s factory!
Such fun to see the creative mugs that you and Joe made! You are both very talented!
I have been interested in visiting the factory, ever since I began collecting Emma’s pottery, and now I am even more inspired 🙂
I am so enjoying your travels in England, and your joy of being there comes through each posting.
Thanks for sharing!
The factory looks lovely. I should really go there when we go to England again.
Your stories of England really are enchanting! have a fun rest of your holiday(as the English
would say)!
I would fancy this special mug. Thanks for a gem (diamond, that is) of a giveaway!
What a joy it has been to follow along with your many wonderful adventures throughout England! Thanks so much for caring and sharing with all of us! I loved seeing the Emma Bridgewater factory and can’t wait for the Beatrix Potter post. I have been a fan for a long time.
I loved your personalised handpainted mugs. Did Joe paint and draw that mug himself? He is very talented. Your journey throughout England has inspired me to see more of this beautiful country. Savour and devour your time left in the beautiful English countryside. 🙂
Have loved watching you go thru the meadows and hills of the country side. You truly have put the desire in my heart to go to England soon. Also “thank you” for the calenders for 2013. I was one of the unfortunate who could not find one to buy. I’ll be at the front of the line this year! Best wishes as you continue your travels.
WOW Sue what a lucky girl you are! So many beautiful things to see and do. Special mugs for you and Joe from the Emma Bridgwater factory, love that! I do have to say that Joe’s mug is very smart, where’s yours? OXO
I may never make it to the Emma Bridgewater Factory, but really, you make it feel as if I have already been there….no wonder we all love her pottery. It IS done right!
* Good Morning Sunshine! * Friday…June 8, 2012
Yes, that’s you, Susan! Our little ray of brightness, smiling and bringing sunshine wherever you go. And the places you go (and the places you have yet to go), are enchanting. And…you’re taking us with you! Can I say “thank you” again? Thank you!
And, there you are, taking us along, to the delightful Emma Bridgewater factory/shop. It’s so exciting to see what you see…love the pic of you in front of the shop, under the Emma sign, with the yellowroses to match your sunny smile! Love the cups that you and Joe designed;they are so special. By the way, oh yes, do please enter me in the drawing for one of those cute Queen’s Cups.
Susan, everything about your trip has been magical, and I know there’s so much more to come for the both of you. The icing on the cake for all of us girlfriends is that you’ll be sharing it with us too. You really know how to put the “joy” in enjoyment.
Re: your prior posts, all a delight! You introducing us to Rachel and Paul, Ashby Farm, Rachel’s wonderful family…those pictures….those videos…the flowers…BlueBells….Weatherick Cottage…Mr. Darcy, and the photo of you @ what you called the “cutie-pie pub”, all giving me a sense of English living…and the true heart and soul of the land. Ron and I are talking about a trip to England and because of you leading the way, we will sail the Queen Mary!
And…soon the best is yet to be…you’re in Beatrix Potter Country now…Ambleside, the Lake District and I can’t wait!
* Luv from Dorothy Ann on Cougar Mountain, Washington *
I am loving this tour of england that you are sharing with us. I feel I am there. Thank you. I would LOVE a diamond jubilee cup!
Dear Sweet Sue,
What a trip!!! Loving every second of it! XO!
Aren’t you the perfect person that ever happened along to sit down and paint cups!!!…I bet when they saw your cups, they wanted to hire you on the spot!….it’s a wonder they ever let let you out the door.. 🙂
Especially, love the picture of you with the yellow roses, next to the building, you are such a beautiful person, inside and out!
Seeing England through your eyes is priceless!….the trip of a lifetime for me!
Thank you!!!!!!
Sending so much Love back to you, from across the pond,
Victoria
Hi Susan, I’ve been a fan for many years although we cannot purchase your beautiful calendars in NZ they are still delightful to look at. I’ve been enjoying your posts from England and have had a hankering to return for a visit myself! The tour of Emma’s factory was really a great post and what I wouldn’t do to own one of those beautiful mugs. Perhaps the cyber fairies will be kind. Enjoy the rest of your trip. x
Hi Susan, we just travelled in England 4 weeks ago, so just before you got there, otherwise we would have met — we saw the same places in the south, LOVED Charleston, bought the same book about it (saw it on one of your photos !) , but we didn’t make it all the way up to Emma Bridgewater’s Factory. So, I am very glad you did and let us be part of it !! Enjoy your days ! Vera
Thanks for including us on your trip!! It has been wonderful to be there!!
Hello Susan! I read every link…so informative! Loved reading about dishes…names that I recognize like Meakin, Mason, Spode, etc. I agree with other Girlfriends that you are looking very English…tights, skirt and all of it adorable! Living vicariously…and enjoying every moment…through your travel postings! Thanks again for taking us along!
I look forward to more and more posts sharing all the lovely details of your trip! So dreamy! I hope you both continue to have a blast over there – woohoo!
Your blogs are a joy to read. They get me through. Cheers.
I am so jealous I cant join you in England, but so thankful you are sharing all your wonderful experiences with us!
Hi Susan,
I am so enjoying “my” trip with you to England! Love Emma Bridgewater!!
Thanks again for the wonderful tour… I may not ever get to England but I feel like Im there with you each time I read your post it makes my day. Thank you Susan
I’m on the fly, but must get this in to have a chance at the mug! Really enjoying all you are sending us along your way . . . brightens my day each time. Thanks so much.
Thanks for taking us along on your fun adventures. I am a dish nut and would very much like to receive that cup. I am looking forward to Beatrix Potter’s farm. Dear Susan, you have so many gifts, such as photography, painting and story-telling. I am so happy you also have the gift of sharing. Love you bunches, Cori!
England is one of my favourite destinations. Wonderful to experience it again through your fabulous blog Susan! Thanks.
Yikes! I have an Emma Bridgewater mug. I recognized the writing – upside down. How great is that. Of course a Jubilee mug to go with would be nice.
Thanks for taking me back to England. I was there two summers ago seeking family information.
What a delightful day you and Joe had. So happy for you that the journey is going well. It seems your stoleaways are behaving quite well. We would not want to embarrass you!
How much fun it would be to win the cup.
.
I’ve had so much fun following you and Joe on your trip to England. I got so interested in your visit to the Emma Bridgewater factory this morning that I’m going to be late for work. Yikes! I’d better get moving! 🙂
So wish we could be ther with you to share, but you always come up with something special. Thanks so much for sharing!
Susan~your posts are just over-the-top charming, as is the English Countryside. Oh, how I’ve been enjoying your Holiday along with the Girlfriends and Jack. I now have a visual where my Spode and Johnson Bros. came from. I know you and Joe can’t wait to sip tea from your personalized mugs.
Continue to travel safely.
Bliss!
Marie xo
P.S. LOVE the calendar! I have a blue & white kitchen and I collect mixing bowls. Susan Branch…you’re the BEST!
I loved this blog Susan but I really dropped by to give Joe a pat on the back for being such a super trooper! He’s a wonder man in my book because he loves all the things we love, he can draw and does all the driving around those back roads which are narrow, bendy and scary! He’s been great company for us girlfriends as we’ve piled onto the back seat. Thanks super trooper Joe.
He loved it!
I look forward to your posts, I check my email everyday! What a wonderful way to visit when you can’t actually be there. Thank you.
What a little blessing it was to open your blog after a hectic workday and find your tour of Emma’s. Beats any sedative or tranquilizer in the world. Thank you for this small piece of heaven. Enjoy every bit of that wonderful trip and for letting us tag along.
It has been so much fun “traveling” around England with you – thanks for including us! Would love to win a diamond jubilee mug. The pottery factory visit looked like a wonderful time!
I’ve been glued to the television, absorbing every minute of the Jubilee! Between that, and your trip coming at the same time, I’m totally awash in the glory of England! Loving every minute if it, and would cherish a mug to commemorate my trip!! Thanks for all the fun!!! XO
thank you for the trip. i’m having a maaarvelous time with you & Joe! Thank you very much! loving everything you’re posting. i’m ordering the calendar now too. thanks for letting us know its here. love ya.
top o’ the mornin’ to you! Loved waking up to take the tour with you and sip a bit o’tea!
Susan, I am so loving hearing about your wonderful trip. SO interesting and fun. My husband and I are planning our first overseas trip to Ireland in September. You are giving me some very good ideas in regard to exploration
. Any suggestions?
Plan your electricity carefully, get the narrowest car you can find, if you like to use a washcloth, best bring one with you. Sunglasses, because the beauty is blinding!
Oh yeah, I forgot about the washcloths. Do they call them face flannels over there?
yes, or just flannels. Hotels have them I think, but if you rent a cottage, usually they don’t.
Might I ask how people wash their faces there, if they don’t have washcloths? Isn’t washing with a bar of soap with a magnet screwed through it a little hard on a person’s body? (not meaning to be too personal…) 🙂
The aren’t in the B&Bs either.
Not a clue Pat—is that what the bidet is for?-LOL!!
Thanks for letting me in with you to tour Emma’s factory. To celebrate, I will hunt for my “cosmos” flower mug that I bought from you, Susan. And, you know, I am really likin’ good ole Petey. A good friend of mine takes a funny little stuffed dog with her when she travels and takes pictures of him at all the famous sites-he’s been to London and to see the Eifel tower. Last year he went to the ocean with us. I love ANY video you can give us. Traveling and looking out the window of the car with you and Joe is just THE BEST!
I
Can’t wait for each entry of your adventures in England!
I am enjoying your posts about your trip so much! Thanks for taking all of us along on your journey. I would love to be the recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee mug; what a thrill it would be to win! Thanks so much for thinking of your girlfriends back home.
Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. I have never seen such beautiful mugs. What fantastic gifts for teachers and friends.
Susan, How absolutely kind of you to take the time to carry us all along on your trip!! I’m loving it and can’t wait for each new post. I’m loving England. It’s beautiful. And if not for your trip I may have never known. I’m learning more with each blog. I would love a mug from the Bridgewater factory. Perhaps I’ll win!!!
Thank you for the wonderful tour. You send a vivid postcard. The Bridgewater factory is so surprisingly homey. I can only hope for a keepsake.
Loved the factory tour…just another reason to hop across the pond…gotta make my own Emma mug! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure with us!!!! B ~*
Enjoying going to England through your blog. You have shown us the charm of England through the places you have shared. I watched the Queen on TV and would love to have a mug too. Thanks for offering one to us at home travelers.
Enjoy the rest of your trip!
What a fun trip I just took reading your post when I should be working! It was fascinating learning about the factory and I’d love to put my name in the hat for the drawing! Thanks, Sue!
Susan, because I love, love, love all things England. I would love to have the cup to remember “our” wonderful trip! I have enjoyed every bit of the trip.
Susan,
What a wonderful time you are having. So great to be able to make dreams come true as you and Joe are doing. I so enjoy sharing it all with you. Really loved the Emma Bridgewater plant and all the details. It would be so hard to just choose a couple of things there I think. Wonderful that you can create your own cups. Can’t think of a better keepsake. Thanks so much for sharing all this. I loved seeing the Diamond Jubliee Cup!
Hi Susan,
Thanks for taking me along on your factory tour. I feel like I have really been there. It’s always interesting to see how things are made, especially hand painted mugs and things. I love them all (yes, including the Diamond Jubilee one), but I love the ones with roses the best. That’s a lot of roses to hand paint on those mugs! And about your little video driving on the narrow country roads, I’d be a nervous wreck, and just wouldn’t try it myself. Daughter has talked about visiting England sometime and I said I’d love to go but never drive over there. But why go when I’m getting a lovely grand tour from you? Can’t wait to see where wed go next, but I think I know.
Love the cups you and Joe made. You’re both so talented. The tour of the Emma Bridgewater factory was wonderful!
O Susan, it is all too much….I have to pause and catch my breath before continuing the journey with you all….such splendiforous excursions ~ And you,
my deare, are a sight to behold in your Britishesque attire! Bless you for sharing this exciting adventure with us….I have clued half my world into your blog for
the treat of it all…some former Brits now here in USA who are really enjoying
this trip back home. Godspeed~
Mary
What moderation needs to be done in order to clear my e-mail address?
Dear Susan, thank you so much for sharing your wonderful adventures throughout England! I look forward with anticipation for the new ones everyday. Emma Bridgewater was Amazing!
I’ve been with you every step of the way! Received a surprise in the mail earlier this week from my dear friend in Wisconsin—a tin of English tea. It was her way of celebrating your trip and the Jubliee—and she shared it with me. Thank you for taking time to allow us to go on holiday with you.
Thanks for sharing all your special moments…I feel like I am right next to you…your pictures are wonderful…glad you are having such a magical time…
wow what an awesome day! I am so grateful for you sharing your english experiences with us! love emma, england, and you!
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing and wonderful vacation with us. You are such a kind-hearted and fun person to do this!!! Just to be a fly on the wall with you and Joe is a true gift! Thanks from the bottom of my heart!
I learned about Emma Bridgewater pottery through your blog and love love love it. Thought it was a bit expensive but after the tour, now I see why! Wonderful stuff. I’d love to have one of each!
Susan,
Thank you for taking all of us readers along with you on your trip. I am enjoying being a computer chair traveler and seeing your pictures and videos of places and things that I will likely not get a chance to see in person. Can’t wait to see your Beatrix Potter’s house entry.
Wishing you both continued fun adventures!
~Sheila
OMG its so awesome going on this trip with you! I’m enjoying your posts. I would love an Emma cup especially since my daughter loves tea (she’s 8) and very into the Jubilee thing and her name is Emma! How perfect it would be for her! Thank you so much for the posts they are so fun to read and I love the pics.
I am learning so much from “our” trip! And I am adding so many places to my bucket list! Can’t wait for the next installment of our adventure!
I screeched as we made the turn on the road to Emma B’s and met the oncoming car. Then I found myself saying almost the exact same words as you did regarding the ducklings. And I confess to being quite envious about painting pots in the Emma Bridgewater factory. I’m SO enjoying your vacation … the time is passing too quickly! I look forward to every post.
Hope you have a WONDERFUL time at Beatrix Potter’s!!
Oh my goodness! To be able to not only tour the pottery factory, but to be able to design your own mug! How awesome that is! Thank you for the opportunity to win one of those wonderful mugs. I have so enjoyed reading your posts about this trip. Thank you for sharing it will all of your readers.
Oh Susan! What a adventure and I love that you’re sharing with all of us. My lovely English (transplanted to the States) Mum will be 89 next week. I would love the Jubilee mug as a special gift to her.
What a perfect idea!!! How did you know:):):) An Emma Bridgewater anything….how could we resist!!! I felt like I was in a candy store with your tour of Emma’s factory……My mind kept saying…”I’ll take one of each….or maybe two or three…..or maybe……….more more more!!!!)
Our trip with you is soooo wonderful!!! So glad you invited us all to come along!!! BTW….LOVE your little outfit with tights….so adorable….so perfect!!!!
What a fun visit to the factory! Love those spotted teapots (and everything else). I’ve been keeping an eye on all the festivities related to the Royal Jubilee, too, so it’s extra-fun to be tagging along with you and the girlfriends. My husband and I visited England a few years ago and were walking along a London street, about to cross in front of an “alley”. Suddenly a siren went off and a black car came down the alley at a good clip, just as we stepped down from the curb to cross. Apparently the siren was the warning that the Queen was coming through, because the car zipped out of the alley onto the main street, right in front of us. We had a VERY up-close view of the queen as the car went by. I walked around London the rest of the day with her tire tracks on the toes of my shoes! 🙂 Love, love, love sharing your wonderful view of this beautiful country.
How lovely your personalized mugs are! Thank you for sharing with us an experience we’d all like to have, but may not. I’d love to win a mug! Enjoy the rest of your adventure!
I am loving your England blog, as my grandparents came over from England. You have made this trip “our trip” too. Thanks and can’t wait for Beatrice Potter!!
I am loving your England blog. You have made this trip “our trip”,too. Thanks and can’t wait for the next entry.
How lovely your personalized mugs are! Thank you for sharing with us an experience we’d all like to have, but may not. I’d love to win a mug! Enjoy the rest of your adventure! 🙂
OOOHHH! I would so love a mug! My husband’s family is from england, and they still have a few family members living there. This would be a reminder to keep them in our thoughts and prayers every day! Thanks for your tour posts. I just love them to death!
Susan, thank you, thank you for taking us along on your trip. I am having the best time and even laughed out loud when I saw Petey at the Emma Factory!
I am enjoying your vacation so much – I feel like I’m on holiday as well. I love the pictures of all the cups and how they are painted by hand. You and Joe did an EXCELLENT job with your mugs. Thanks again!!
Hey Susan,
I’ve been a fan or yours since your first book. I am enjoying reading about this fantastic trip. Wish I was there with you. Have fun and keep sharing. Thank you! I hope I win. We have watched all the jubilee stuff! Love it!
Sharon
Oh, how delightful! I love my EB mugs that I have purchased from your website. They are forever treasures. It was so much fun to get to see the jolly factory and tour it with you. Thank you for sharing this journey….. I feel as though I am in celebration with you every time you write a blog. crr
That you and Joe got to paint your own cups made me tear up! Enjoy the rest of your incredible journey. ♥ 🙂
Thanks so much for taking us on your wonderful trip! Almost (not quite), but almost, like being there.
Magic……Looking at the mugs you and Joe made… I remember once you told us about a “pot” you bought at Disneyland…..which you fill with water to paint…..and out of that little pot comes Magic.
Just think about the Emma mugs you created….When you and Joe get home….and savor the memories of this wonderful journey, you will each have a mug to drink the Love Potion of England…….”Tea”…..and with each sip….remember the Magic of your British adventures!
Pretty wonderful!
And, ( being a fan of) that Sneaky Petey……..who we now know may contain a little “nuttiness” …heres hoping he made it back into the white and red bag….with cake in hand or at least a scone! LOL.
Just loved the tour of the Emma Bridgewater factory….many thanks!
Hi, Susan and Joe! Enjoying my trip to England with you soooo much. I check my computer first thing every day to see where in the world we are! Thanks for sharing your adventures with all of us!
Do you have any idea how much your trip is the kind of trip that I would be happy to make? My husband and I love the serendipitous moments that can happen when one doesn’t have a rigid schedule to follow. We rambled through France a few summers back and have great, non-traditional memories in our heads. (along with lots of traditional ones too) Anyway, the Bridgewater Factory is pretty special, huh? No mass-production going on there! Any one of us out here following your blog would be delighted to receive the mug that you will be sending…..so add me to the list for the drawing please. Spring has been gorgeous in Indianapolis.
I’m enjoying your posts and all the lovely pictures. Please enter me in your drawing.
Oh, how lovely everything is!!! I am a pottery fiend!!! I WOULD LOVE to win the mug..I would give it to my sister who is recovering from lung surgery and has always wanted to go to England. She was reading some great English poetry while mending in the hospital!… Oh, I could have stayed at Emma’s all day and maybe more!!! How VERY VERY Exciting!!!
Thanks for sharing this with us Susan!!
Hi Susan, thanks for sharing your trip to England with us. If I am ever fortunate enough to visit there myself the Bridgewater Factory will definitely be a must see!