We are back in Leeds. I am trying my hardest to feel happy about this. The car has been washed, waxed and vacuumed, the grass cut, the garden watered. Two loads of washing have been done and a trip to the supermarket has been made. Normal life resumes.
But I am clinging on to the holiday feeling while I sort through the photos I took throughout the week. Indulge me, please, while I share some holiday snaps with you.* That top picture captures everything that was good about our holiday; sunshine, freedom and two very, very happy children. There were no theme parks, zoos or expensive outings. One trip to a local farm, lots of exploring villages and eating ice creams, minimum screen time and lot of attention from their grandparents, and it was lovely.
These were taken out and about in "our" village, so picturesque it's offensive...I mean, how can anywhere else compete?
The view from the local village playground...
We explored lots of beautiful Gloucestershire villages, like Chipping Camden:
Stow-on-the-Wold, where there was a definite Union Flag theme going on:
as well as an abundance of charm and history, like The Royalist Hotel, believed to be the oldest inn in England dating from 947 AD:
But my favourite place was Bourton-on-the-Water. A river flows right through this village and there are little stone bridges here and there. It is incredibly pretty and on this very hot day, the river banks were packed with families eating picnics and paddling and enjoying the sunshine. Bella and I dipped our toes in and we all sat on the river bank for ages, just soaking it all up. We talked about our favourite holiday moments on the way home today (Bella - holding the rabbits at the farm, feeding the horses, the river boat tour in Stratford-on-Avon. Angus - the park, eating ice creams. John - the sunshine, not being at work.) and this would be mine, just sitting and enjoying the moment. Oh, and getting three Emma Bridgewater mugs for 50p each at a car boot sale.
********************************
* I recently discovered picmonkey, and am putting it's collage tool to good effect here.
It looks like you had such a great time! Share such lovely memories anytime you like! Ada :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ada. Every time it's rained today I've looked at these photos.
DeleteI can see why you didn't want to go home...I day dream about village life- town life will do for now though!
ReplyDeleteI am still dreaming about village life...so peaceful, everyone says hello to each other. But I am happy to be back in my town too.
DeleteAll looks lovely. Love the paddling in the river. brilliant weather too, what more could you ask for?
ReplyDeleteEllie
x
The paddling in the river was my highlight of the week, and the good weather just made the whole holiday. x
DeleteI'm so glad you had a lovely time away. It's very refreshing to go somewhere different and it looks beautiful there. Continue to share more holiday snaps with us! xx
ReplyDeleteI think I'm about done now, I've nearly got the Cotswolds out of my system! It's a lovely place to visit, I really recommend it. xx
DeleteIt looks heavenly, no wonder you're clinging on to that holiday feeling. I sometimes forget just how beautiful England is. It's good to see it with fresh eyes now and again to really appreciate it. x
ReplyDeleteI know, we haven't had a holiday abroad for 4 years! Mind you, if we do, it'll cost a bomb to get all the passports done so that puts me off a bit. x
Deleteit looks perfect! if i didn't have to get on a plane to get there, i'd hop in the car and drive there right now. sigh...
ReplyDeleteYes the distance is a bit off putting, especially when you're pregnant! If I didn't have to get on a plane I'd love to explore the Pacific Northwest.
DeleteBeautiful photos - the Cotswolds are so picturesque. Just the place to recharge your batteries. I'm not surprised you're clinging onto that holiday feeling. The UK looks so much better with the sun shining too, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteYes it does. And my batteries feel well and truly recharged, I really needed that break.
DeleteGreat Photos! Making me a little homesick though !!!
ReplyDeleteHi there, thanks for stopping by. It's such a beautiful part of England, I'd never been before and can't wait to go back. But Normandy is pretty special too, especially with all the cider and calvados!
DeleteGlorious images. I spent my childhood to age 7 in the Cheltenham area and Bourton on the Water was a favourite Sunday destination.
ReplyDeleteSounds as if you have a touch of the post holiday blues, but look at all the wonderful memories you made, and are sharing with us :D
What a lovely place to grow up. I guess I'm just conscious of quality of life for kids in the country versus the city, and the pros and cons bound up in that. They were happy there, but that's because they were on holiday! The blues are going and I am getting my mojo back you'll be relieved to hear. ;-)
DeleteIt looks gorgeous, such a lovely place! I hear you on coming back to normal life, but hopefully we still have some more sunshine to come! x
ReplyDeleteI am slowly adjusting to normality, and have a busy week ahead with lots of play dates and evening get togethers so that will keep me occupied! Fingers crossed for a bit more sun. x
DeleteYour photos are stunning. Looks like an amazing holiday! x
ReplyDeleteThank Col, you can't take a bad photo when the sun is shining in the English countryside, even the cow pats look photogenic! x
Deleteso glad you had a lovely holiday, it is such a beautiful area to explore.
ReplyDeletexxx
It was wonderful, but now normal life resumes. Would love to go back there again though. x
DeleteLovely photos! Looks like the perfect holiday. When we get to England "some day" I am so visiting the Cotswolds! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAh, "some day" - yes, and there is so much of your beautiful country I would like to visit (such as the South) and re-visit...one day!
DeleteGlad you had such a lovely holiday - your pics are so atmospheric which makes it easier to recapture some of the holiday feelings even when one is back. You have a great eye with a camera, Gillian and get the feel as well as the image across so well. E x
ReplyDeleteGosh! Thank you Elizabeth, that is so very kind of you. *blushing* x
DeleteReally great photo's Gillian, I love the collage effect and you have captured the Cotswolds so well.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that you bought three Emma Bridgewater mugs for 50p each!! That's amazing, what a find!
Essie x
I'm loving the collage thing on picmonkey, especially as I'm hopeless at editing photos and like to put EVERY single photo on the blog...
DeleteI nearly fell over when I saw those mugs - another lady was eyeing them up, and I was all "Oh, sorry - i am buying those" - a very english and polite way of saying "hands of my mugs lady!". So funny! x
Your photos are beautiful, Gillian, you obviously had a wonderful holiday ... definitely considering the Cotswolds as a future holiday destination ... Bee x
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks Bee, that's really kind of you. I have no idea what I'm doing with the camera but luckily sun and pretty scenery make for nice photos! x
DeleteOh my gosh! What amazing photos Gillian! I would give anything to leap across the pond and visit the Cotswolds. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had such a lovely vacation. And you shouldn't be so shy about your photography skills - you are TALENTED!
Thank you so much Jenny, that is very kind. :-)
DeleteI don't think I am at all talented but I would like to know more about our DSLR - I think am only using about ten percent of it's potential.
Great photos Gillian, the Cotswolds is just beautiful isn't it? Glad you enjoyed your time there!
ReplyDelete