One of the few highlights from this Pandemic was visiting Somerset last week for a couple of days. First time in this beautiful rural county and I completely fell in love with the quintessential British countryside. Makes me want to forget about everthing and join the tranquil life. The weather helped, I have to say, and it waa the last oportunity to sport a summer style. More to come on my stories. . . . #menswear #menstyle #menfashion #quintessential #britishstyle #menhat #panamahat #fordeabbey #countryside #englishcountryside #summerstyle #hat #handmadehat #englishgarden #abbey #linenshirt #shorts #somerset #british #summerlook #menwithstyle #dappermen (at Forde Abbey & Gardens, Nr Chard) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFmc7viF5j4/?igshid=1ujesfp0iazmd

Forde Abbey 

fordeabbey

Forde Abbey, near Chard, Somerset

a hazy shade of Winter

There are some times when you want the world to stop and admire the beauties within it , this is one of those moments. On a completely different note, did you know Panama hats (also know as toquilla straw hats) are made traditionally in Ecuador and not in Panama? They became very popular after workers at the Panama Canal wore them to protect from the sun, they were great for tropical conditions as were light weight. An exportation of hats to Panama commenced. When workers returned to their original countries and were asked where did they buy the hats, they always replied, "in Panama", and the name Panama hats replaced the Ecuatorian hats or Toquilla Straw hats. #panamahat #style #menstyle #menhat #hat #hats #summerstyle #mensfashion #fordeabbey #somerset #englishcountryside #britishstyle (at Forde Abbey & Gardens, Nr Chard) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFsONb7lWxd/?igshid=q367l71w98rk

In the borderlands of Somerset, Dorset and Devon, stands Forde Abbey, a privately owned house and garderns. Founded in the 12th century, Forde Abbey was built as a monastery for 400 years during which time it became one of the most learned institutions of its kind in England. Since then, Forde abbey was owned by a succession landlords and transformed from a Monastic residence to a private home in 1649. It is still currently owned by Alice and Julian Kennard and converted into a tourist attraction. Although the house was not visitable this time due to Covid-19 measures, the garden itself is one of the main attractions. The garden cover 30 acres (120.000 square metres) including water features, a walled garden, a fruit farm and an arboretum. It is also home to the highest powered fountain in England, it reaches a height of 160 feet (48 m.), powered by a pump from the strawberry farm on the estate. Today, the only monastic structure that remains in the garden is the great Pond, used for a practical rather than aesthetic purpose to power a mill on the site. . . . #fordeabbey #somerset #dorset #abbey #englishgarden #englishcountryside #britishstyle #fountain #garden #pond #waterfeature #british #countryside #raimbow #house #monastery #england #countrylife #countrylifestyle (at Forde Abbey & Gardens, Nr Chard) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFpp6pdlDwQ/?igshid=b6biyv5lr2jf

fordeabbey