Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Rural Idyll


I don't think I've ever stayed in a house with such pretty windows, and so much natural light. I am obsessed with the rose around the front gate, I can't stop looking at it and smelling it and taking photographs of it. Morning light, afternoon heat or dusky evening - this little cottage is a slice of heaven.

We have settled into a very chilled out holiday routine. Up whenever the kids can no longer be contained in their very sunny bedroom. Leisurely breakfast with lots of coffee refills then out for the day. Home late afternoon to sit in the little courtyard garden and have a cup of tea and do some crochet. My parenting technique on holiday is "hands off" to say the least. Cups of tea are replaced by cold beer because, as everyone knows, the bar opens early on holiday. We eat with the kids around six, then relax with wine while they play and we ignore their late bedtime. Then, when they are finally bathed and settled I go outside again and sit in the peace and quiet. (Except for last night when the bell ringing practice in the church opposite was very LOUD).

Honestly, I am so very, very happy. 

53 comments:

  1. Sounds like the perfect holiday to me! Glad you are having such a good relaxing time, it's what we all need from time to time! Ada :)

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    1. Ada, I never needed a holiday so much! We all needed this week and it's been perfect.

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  2. I am so happy that you are having such a relaxed and blissful time. Your post radiates happiness! It is a beautiful part of the world - not sofar from me! I think it is a major skill in life to capture that holiday feeling and bring it into everyday life. I think there is a simplicity we find on holiday that makes us so happy. And beer! Lots of love x

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    1. Oh Karen, you are so lucky to live in this corner of England! I will endeavour to bring the holiday vibe back to Leeds, while I am loading up the washing machine... x

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    2. Hear hear about the capturing of holiday simplicity in day to day life- my neighbours seem to do it well, involves lots of outdoor time!

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    1. It is, going back to normal life will be hard. x

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  4. You sound totally, amd deservedly blissed out. Stitch some of that holiday feeling into those granny squares and bring it back to keep you going for the rest of the year!

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    1. Thanks my love! It's just what i needed. The glorious weather has helped. I've gone granny square crazy this week - will have to show you! x

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  5. Sounds so relaxing! Letting go of the world for a few days, drinking good wine and enjoying the garden. Perfect! Enjoy your time well deserved x

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    1. Thanks Hazel, it's so nice to be outside all day long, I'd forgotten that you could do that in the summer! x

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  6. Still looks (and sounds) lovely. Hope the weather holds for you.

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    1. So far so good! The sunshine has made all the difference.

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  7. Oh wow, sounds like heaven! Glad you are having a great time and that cottage looks so gorgeous! x

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    1. I want to live here! (except we couldn't afford it) x

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  8. This cottage is adorable...love all the natural light! And the roses are gorgeous along with that bright blue sky! Love that your evenings are so relaxed with lots of wine...perfect!

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    1. It's so pretty and charming, isn't it? So different from our home in Leeds.

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  9. Your photographs are lovely - and that rose is stunning. Glad you're having a good time x

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    1. Thank you. :-) Maybe when I get home to Leeds some of my flowers will have bloomed...? I can hope. x

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  10. Stunning place and equally stunning photographs! Enjoy! x

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    1. Hi Kitty, thanks, it's been the best holiday. x

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  11. Such beautiful photos Gillian! And so full of evocative presence - when you get home all you'll have to do will be to look at these, I guess, to be transported back to serene summer bliss so keep snapping away as an investment for days when you want a quick lift back to where you are now! Enjoy every minute! E x

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    1. A very good idea, yes, I will definitely have to keep peeking at these pictures when the inevitable post-holiday blues kick in, and bring back the holiday feeling. x

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  12. That sounds like a page from a Rosamunde Pilcher or Marcia Willett novel! Truly idyllic and the photos are some of the best I've seen on any blog, so natural and so evocative of that special like striking flowers and pieces of furniture, I just love them. And I'll bet the children are benefitting from your relaxed approach to parenting, too, and it doesn't matter that bedtime is later, I expect that after a day in this gloroius sunshine and good food as well, they will sleep well (as indeed you will, too!)
    Margaret P

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    1. Margaret, thank you, that is so kind. The kids are very relaxed and happy this week. They are benefiting from minimal tv time, lots of fresh air, lots of grandparent time and possibly too many ice creams! It's lovely to see them so happy. x

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  13. It sounds beautiful and I'm wishing for a week there too! Enjoy, you couldn't have picked a better week weather wise if you'd tried!

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    1. Gina, I know, we've been incredibly fortunate with the weather! Although I have five more weeks of summer holiday to get through when we get back to Leeds, so some more sun would be very welcome.

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  14. It is so beautiful there. What a lovely place to stay. The light through the windows is so pretty, and fresh flowers just brighten the space. Enjoy! :)

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    1. If only I had windows like this at home! Although I am glad of the double glazing when the cold Yorkshire wind blows.

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    2. Gosh, I wish I had windows like that at home too. And its definitely good to have the double glazing for when the chilly wind sneaks up...

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  15. Oh what a beautiful place to holiday .... and what lovely sunshine! Just found your blog via Hello Olive ... it's lovely, will be adding you to my reading list, Bee :)

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    1. Hi Bee, nice to meet you, thanks for stopping by and saying hello! Gillian x

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  16. Beautiful beautiful photographs Gillian.

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    1. Ah, thanks Jenny. I take about ten duds for every one that I think it acceptable though.

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  17. It looks and sounds amazing. Glad your having such a lovely and relaxing time. x

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    1. Thanks Caroline, it is just totally lovely here! I've fallen in love with village life. x

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    1. I will be envious too when I'm back in Leeds next week, loading the washing machine, dragging the kids round the supermarket. Must make the most of it!

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  19. What a beautiful looking (and sounding) place x

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  20. Hi Gillian, thanks for sharing such stunning photos. I think we all want a couple of days in that gorgeous little cottage!!

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    1. It's so pretty. If it was free next week and my husband didn't have to go back to work, I'd be so tempted to stay another week...

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  21. Just catching up with your last two posts. Oh my word, what an incredible place! Where are you? Do please tell. Your pictures have me aching for a week or two somewhere far from the madding crowd. Okay so the the madding crowd doesn't impinge tooo much here, but I could really do with a break from my madding crowd. Thank you so much for sharing these images, they're balm for the weary soul :D

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    1. We are in a little village just south of Stratford called Mickleton. It's very beautiful. In fact, everywhere in this area is just beautiful. It's not fair!

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  22. ¸.¸❤✿彡
    Passei para uma visitinha.
    Seu blog é muito charmoso... amei!
    Bom fim de semana!
    Beijinhos do Brasil.

    ✿彡
    ¸.¸❤✿•.¸

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  23. Oh my - that looks like such a beautiful place. I think I would be addicted to the light too....it's amazing - and so calming.

    Nina x

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    1. It's lovely here Nina! I wish I could bottle the light and take it home. x

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  24. Beautiful pics. I love that the house gets so much sunlight. Sounds like you're having a wonderful holiday, glad to hear it!

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    1. Hi Trishie, thanks, It's been the best holiday we've had in years.

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  25. Thank you. Lots of cold beers and sun this week. Heaven.

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  26. So beautiful. It looks bliss and looks good weather too xx

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    1. Hurrah for sun, it made the holiday so perfect. x

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