The Belfry Inne- Cape Cod

When I read about the Belfry Inne of Sandwich, Massachusetts in Yankee Magazine in 2012 I knew I just had to stay there at some point in my life. So it went on the secret bucket list.

This Summer, I found out that Susan Branch was doing a book signing at the Sandwich Town Hall this August. I immediately booked rooms at the Belfry for my sister and myself.

Here's what Yankee Magazine said about the Belfry Inne:

BEST NEO-VICTORIAN B&B
Belfry Inne & Bistro, Sandwich
A restored Victorian manse and a pleasingly formal Federal-era house are part of this bustling B&B complex, but the most dramatic rooms are found in “the Abbey,” a converted Catholic church on the edge of Sandwich village. A few even have stained-glass windows depicting archangels Michael and Gabriel, and most have church-pew beds. The bistro occupies the Abbey’s ground level. Rates: from $179, including full breakfast. 8 Jarves St. 800-844-4542, 508-888-8550; belfryinn.com

After reading that description you want to go now too, don't you? I must say it did not disappoint.

The patio outside the bistro was lovely and perfect for a relaxing lunch. We had breakfast each morning in the converted church. (It was included). We actually stayed in the Painted Lady as the Abbey rooms were more pricey.

Another view of the pretty patio. I snapped a few shots before they opened for the day.

The flowers were plentiful and huge! I noticed this all over the Town of Sandwich, flowers everywhere.

Tricia, the desk clerk and breakfast server, was kind enough to show us rooms in the Abbey. This is the Tuesday room, one of the most requested rooms in the Inne.

The bathrooms were modern and spa-like.   One of them actually had a spa in it!

Here's an overview of the bar and restaurant. The beams are still intact and spectacular.

I'm not sure if this was the choir loft or not. As you can see, the Inne is the perfect blend of old world charm and modern amenities.

All the rooms we saw had the most fantastic stained glass windows. I loved the colors used in each room as well.

How relaxing would a soak in this tub be? I could use this at the condo after a hard day at work.

The room decor was tasteful and lovingly furnished. I can attest that the beds were extremely comfortable.

Some rooms had balconies and patios. Fireplaces were in many of the rooms too. Wouldn't that be nice in the Fall?

Another shot of the many details from the original church which was built in 1901.

Here's the Painted Lady, this is where we stayed. Come back for my next post and I will have a little show and tell about it.

I need to apologize for my unintended blogging break. My computer crashed a few weeks ago so no blogging for me. I just got it fixed and I have lots to blog about so I hope you will come back to read about my end of Summer activities.

Illumination Night on Martha's Vineyard

Half the fun of attending the Grand Illumination on the Vineyard is to go to the campground in the afternoon and see the preparations. So much work goes into the decorating of each cottage.



If you only attend the nighttime event, you don't get to see the true colors of the cottages and the lanterns.



I love to see parasols added to the decoration of a cottage.



They vary in shape and design.



You know I had to photograph a cottage named Two Bad Cats.




I am sure I have a photo of this cottage from my last Illumination Night.



Wow, fans, lanterns, parasols, this took a lot of time.



This one had some very interesting lanterns. I love the ones with the tassels.



Pretty pastels on some of the cottages.




Lovely gardens too!



Some cottages had vibrant colors.



Poor puppy! He wanted to go out and play but he was safer on the porch.



The party has already started. Many cottage owners and guests enjoy food and drink on their porches.




Look at the lacy scrollwork, just beautiful!



A pretty combination of colors.



All ready for the festivities.




I need to look up Klonschnack.




I had just enough time to take a few shots in the dim light. Nighttime photography is not my forte.



Before the lights were illuminated there was a community singalong at the tabernacle. A musical journey through American History and lots of patriotic songs.




Ok, are you ready for some lanterns?




Some were made of silk and actually illuminated by real candles.




Some had very interesting shapes and fringe on the bottom.



Some were very old and some were not.



We missed seeing those in costume strolling the area but we caught them on their porch.



They added to the festivities.



Mesmerized by the beauty of the lanterns, I hardly noticed it had started to rain.
During the concert, we were standing under a tree and couldn't feel the raindrops.



We strolled around the main area near the tabernacle and then walked down the small streets of the campground.



I tried to take as many shots as possible of the beauty all around me. It was so magical.




But then the skies opened up and there was no denying it, we were getting soaked and the paper lanterns would not survive the downpour. Luckily, the bad weather held off just long enough to see most of Illumination Night.

And it was worth getting soaked to the skin!

Martha's Vineyard Memories

I have so many memories to write about and so many photos I could post! It's hard to narrow it down but I'll try. This post is about a walk we took around the park and area near the beach at Oak Bluffs.



I would live in any one of these homes. Each one was beautiful and unique. This one had a lovely garden out front.



I am not that fond of yellow but I don't mind it on this home. Maybe the green helps.



The flowers were unbelievable.



We turned the corner and there was this beautiful gate, yard, and garden.



A pagoda in the yard! Gorgeous!



And the front of the house was not too shabby either. Wow, was all I could say.



Looks like they're having a party. He's setting up the bar. How can I get myself invited?
I would love to sit on this porch all night.

We later found out from our innkeeper that this is the home of Peter Norton of Norton Anti Virus fame. And yes that is him in the photo.

The home was destroyed by fire and rebuilt to it's original grandeur.



And here was my second favorite, it's called Cinderella Cottage. Our innkeeper told us that this is the ex Mrs Norton's home.



Again, lovely landscaping.




And very ornate. I love that bump out, don't you?



This blue and white home also bordered the park.




Another pretty house overlooking the park.



I love weathervanes and this one was especially decorative and perfect for it's location overlooking the Atlantic at Oak Bluffs.

This is the first in a series of posts about my mini vacation. Please come back and travel to the Vineyard with me.