Walk out of the front gate.
Turn left and walk up the little lane, pausing to admire the entrance to the grave yard...
...then go through the gate into the field.
Say hello to the sheep and walk a little while...
...then go through another charming gate into the church grounds.
Wander past the church...
...and the gravestones.
Pause to check the time on the church sundial...
...and gaze up at the spire and the blue sky.
And then back down towards the lane...
...and "home", stopping at the gate to smell the lavender and wonder what those giant daisy flowers are called.
All this, all this, on our doorstep. This little stroll around the block takes around half an hour and is perfect for little legs as it isn't far and there is lots to see. Great for the kids to burn off some energy. The cottage we are renting has no garden, just a pretty front courtyard with a table and chairs and more climbing roses than I have ever seen in one place (I have taken about a hundred photos of one particular rose. It's getting out of hand). This courtyard provides the most excellent spot to watch the traffic, screened from the lane by the flowers that climb up a trellis. When I say "traffic", I mean hikers, dog walkers, people on horseback and the odd car. I spent most of yesterday in the sunshine with some crochet in that spot.
All this, all this, on our doorstep. This little stroll around the block takes around half an hour and is perfect for little legs as it isn't far and there is lots to see. Great for the kids to burn off some energy. The cottage we are renting has no garden, just a pretty front courtyard with a table and chairs and more climbing roses than I have ever seen in one place (I have taken about a hundred photos of one particular rose. It's getting out of hand). This courtyard provides the most excellent spot to watch the traffic, screened from the lane by the flowers that climb up a trellis. When I say "traffic", I mean hikers, dog walkers, people on horseback and the odd car. I spent most of yesterday in the sunshine with some crochet in that spot.
I love it here. Possibly too much. Going back to Leeds is going to be hard after all this enchantment and sunshine. There is a house two doors up called "Grey Gables", which seems apt as this gorgeous corner of England is just how I picture Ambridge to be when I listen to The Archers.
I can see why you're enjoying your stay there,it looks beautiful! Make the most of it and the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteWe are making the most of every second. The weather has been so kind, hurrah for some much needed sunshine!
DeleteLooks very pretty!
ReplyDeleteHi Tinajo, thanks for stopping by. It is so beautiful here, like an advert for rural England.
DeleteHi Gillian from Spain, I'm glad that your sky is blue too now! ;o)
ReplyDeleteHi Sopa! More blue skies today and tomorrow...I could get used to this! x
DeleteGosh that looks beautiful. Where are you? On a sunny day there is nowhere as beautiful as Britain. Happy holiday x
ReplyDeleteWe are staying in a little village called Mickleton just south of Stratford in Gloucestershire. It's perfect.
DeleteSo glad you are having a lovely time. It looks idyllic and I love the stone used to build Cotswold houses. It's beautiful here too. I have 2 loads of washing on the line and chocolate cake in the oven for Boat's birthday. xxx
ReplyDeleteAll the houses just glow in the sunshine, even the new builds look nice! It's rivalling West Sussex for a place in my affections. Shame we're not millionaires... xx
DeleteLooks like a lovely place. You always seem to know what to photograph and just how to make the most of it. Hope the rest of the holiday is just as good. If I didn't have my own holiday booked for four weeks away, the jealousy level would be way too high, but as it is, I'm only a little envious!
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth! Thank you, that is very kind. I have not got a clue what I am doing with the camera, I just take about a hundred photos of everything and hope that one or two will come out ok!
DeleteComfort yourself with the fact I will be back in Leeds suffering from post-holiday blues while you are getting ready for yours. x
It's all so very Jane Austen, isn't it? Beautiful, wish I lived there!
ReplyDeleteYes it is, I keep expecting to find that someone is filming a period drama around the corner! I wish I live here too but sadly it is prohibitively expensive for normal folks like me.
DeleteLovely! The sky's a funny colour there, it looks blue! Gorgeous flowers too.
ReplyDeleteI cannot get enough of the blue sky! I keep taking photos of it, over and over. Quick, before it goes away again, photograph the sky! That's what two months of rain do to a woman.
DeleteGorgeous! What a lovely place x
ReplyDeleteCharmaine, it's so pretty it's painful, I wince when we walk through the village. No-where should be this beautiful, it's not fair on the rest of us who have to live in cities and suburbs!
DeleteThat looks totally idyllic! And today there is a blue sky here, too, so suspect it is the same with you in the Cotswolds ... here in Torbay it's glorious. Well, I do live in Glorious Devon! Just off out to the summerhouse with lunch and my book ... what could be better?
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
I wish we'd had more blue sky during our trip to Torbay last year. Another beautiful part of the country that holds a place in my heart - many family holidays spend in Hope Cove over the years.
DeleteWhat a fantastic walk around the block, looks such a calm happy place! Ada :)
ReplyDeleteIt's bliss. Total bliss. So quiet! We are used to the noise of the Leeds-Bradford airport and the buses and sirens. But here - just the occasional dog barking.
DeleteLooks beautiful :)
ReplyDeletex
It is! Very beautiful and peaceful.
DeleteCuantos sitios bonitos!y el día tán claro.Un saludo
ReplyDeleteEn todas partes es hermosa por aquí! Muy rural y tranquilo.
DeleteIt looks beautiful Gillian -I'm glad you're enjoying it and that the weather is so nice for you. Another Archers fan here! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the Archers. But I am very behind with the last few weeks...a catch up will be needed when I get home. Listening to the omnibus while cooking on a Sunday morning is one of my all time favourite activities.
DeletePerfect holidaying - it looks gorgeous....just think of all those wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteNina x
Yes, much paddling and ice cream eating today. Little things, but the kids are having the best time. Probably because we're all so relaxed!
DeleteOh good, glad I could help! The kids went up there again today with the grandparents to feed apples to the horses.
ReplyDeletelovely thanks for the walk.xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome! It is becoming a daily, before dinner habit. The kids love the animals.
Deletewow... what a beautiful place. i'm following you!
ReplyDeleteHi Abby, nice to meet you! Thanks for following.
DeleteLovely! Really nice snaps, what a difference a bit of sun makes! Happy hols x
ReplyDeleteThanks Lottie. The weather has been perfect and Gloucestershire is too beautiful for words.
DeleteIt's so beautiful! So glad you are enjoying your holiday. And the weather looks perfect!
ReplyDeleteOh Julia, I don't want to go home! It's so perfect here.
DeletePositively BEAUTIFUL! Those GATES and the cemetery . . . *sigh*
ReplyDeleteGlad you're enjoying the holiday!
I know, it's too much, isn't it? Even the roads and grass verges are pretty, wild flowers as far as the eye can see.
DeleteWhat a magic spot to live! So much history. So different from our part of the world.
ReplyDeleterachel xo
I know, and so different from my urban corner of Northern England too!
DeleteWow its looks beautiful - am now wondering if we can squeeze a little midweek break into our summer 'stay-cation'....
ReplyDeleteRachel, it's so perfect it's just too much. Even the insane hour and a half of bell ringing practice that kept the kids up till 9.30pm has not dampened my love for the Cotsworlds!x
DeleteHi Gillian. Crossing your fingers and toes worked.....you won my giveaway! Please email me your details and I'll pop your case in the post.
ReplyDeleteHip hip hooray! Many thanks Gina, I am thrilled to bit! x
DeleteBeautiful pics! You're so lucky there's such lovely sights just around your block
ReplyDeleteWe must make the most of it before returning to normal life at the end of the week...
DeleteI think we are in your neck of the woods here Essie - you are so lucky to live here!
ReplyDeleteThis is a lovely post! Looks like an idyllic spot! x
ReplyDeleteI will have to look at this post over and over again when I get back to Leeds and am missing the country! x
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