Just a Fall Drive

 

Hello.  Last week we were on an outing that took us on a zig zag trip across the Midlands.  Most of the leaves are gone now, but thought I would share these pictures anyway.  These pictures were taken from a moving car, but you get the idea, and some are a reminder of the homeland for family across the world. 

Driving by the power station.

A historic manor house being refurbished.

View from the parking lot and the front drive below.

Back on the road, just your typical castle ruins.  (Said with a slight sense of humor/sarcasm as I am still amazed by the everyday sights.)

Rolling hills in the distance.

Just your ordinary patchwork fields.

A former textile mill along the river.

Top of a dry stone wall.

Meanwhile back at home the house husband “Mr. H” has been busy peeling apples which are then frozen, given away or made into apple sauce except one little pie got made this year (and that was with a pre made pie crust.)

In his spare time he has been cleaning and re-laying the bricks in the front drive.  You can see the bricks taken out across the circle. 

(And there you have it, not a red or blue state in sight, but still following with interest.)

Calming Photos

 

These pictures were taken from the car while riding through Chipping Camden.  With the terrible weather news from the East Coast, USA and other events going on I was thinking writing about an English village seems like a bit of a disconnect.  But then I thought looking at these pictures gives me a sense of calm, so maybe it will do the same for some one reading this, at least I hope so.

Love (above and below.)

Too good for words.

I think this cottage below must be one of the most photographed in the country.  I have better photos of it myself somewhere in the archives, but seeing this house and the shrubs in front is always a happy sight.

And then of course there is the main street driving through the town.

Light on words but I am keeping pretty busy these days and Mr. H is getting pretty good at housework – yes it’s true!

Some things can change! but it is nice to see these beautiful buildings that have stood unchanged for ages.

In the Country - Everyday Happiness

 

The weather is starting to turn colder here, especially this afternoon, so I like being reminded of what the countryside looked like just a couple of weeks ago.  These are from the same trip to the Cotswolds as the previous posts. 

I am still very busy painting, but as an extra treat, there are now sheep grazing in the field just outside my window.  (Yes, how weird, I am happy to see sheep in the field everyday (?)

Also in the Cotswolds I was happy to see a cornfield. (even though blurry from taking the picture from the moving car.)

A farmer working in the field.  (Where else are you going to get exciting earth shattering news as this blog?)

Everyday scenes that make me happy.

Looking across the field towards Chipping Camden.

The road leading into the village that has some of the best thatched roof cottages.  (next post some pics from the village.)

Hope you are having some everyday happiness yourself.

More from Stow and a Little Something Else

 

Hello and to continue on the visit to Stow thanks to your encouragement in comments and messages. So nice to hear from you friendly readers.  I may not have a big following, which has never been my blog goal, but those of you who read are very loyal and thank you.

The Market Square in Stow has been around a looong time as markets have taken place since the year 1107.  It has been the sight of the Cotswold’s major sheep markets and at one time it has been said that as many as 20,000 sheep were sold in a single day.  Can you just try to imagine the town full of sheep?

I found the narrow side streets leading from the market so charming and full of character.  Later I learned these streets were purposely built narrow and winding as a way to control and count the sheep.

Also in the center of Stow is St. Edwards Hall which was built in 1878 and now houses the library.

Other events also take place at the hall and an inviting sign stood at the entrance.  Stow is well known for it’s amount and variety of quality antique stores.

The town stands at the center of 6 crossroads so it has always catered to visitors and travellers. At one time it was said that just about every building on the square was either an Inn or sold refreshments. Below is the sign to The Royalist Hotel which claims to be the oldest Inn in England, since 947.

We walked by a number of tempting tea rooms, restaurants and inns.  The bakery looked very inviting too.

We chose this tea room on the corner where we had a nice lunch.

Along with “real tea” with a strainer and loads of atmosphere. 

In other news… I haven’t been in the garden and in front of the TV all summer and fall.  I have been hanging out at this place pictured below, a wonderful antiques and interior store not too far from home.  I get to drive through the English countryside every day I go to work, which is about 5 days a week right now.

Only it doesn’t seem like work at all. It is much more like play time, although it can be hard work, but I love it so much.  The barn on the right (below) is my “studio” where I get to paint furniture and anything else that can do with a little update.  (Not valuable antiques.)

A picture in the courtyard last week.

Two of the pieces I painted below, the tall Eiffel Tower chest and the round clock table, which is a tilt top table.  The owners had a booth at the NEC in Birmingham last week for Grand Designs and this is a corner of their booth ( taken before it was fully set up, but gives you an idea.)  So I will try to keep posting and visit blogs, but if my posts are short now you will know why.  I’ll be painting or maybe…

even chasing rainbows.  (Taken on my way home last week.) 

Wishing you a great weekend ahead.

Sorry I Haven’t Written

 

Hello!!!  Sorry I haven’t written for a while….  Yes my computer had some problems, mostly that it is just getting slower and older – I am talking about the laptop, but hmmm sounds familiar!  Eventually I will get a new one, but still shopping around and considering different options.  Other than that we really haven’t been any where travel wise this summer and we kept close to home and the garden.  Part of the summer we were glued to the TV every night - like everyone else we loved watching the Olympics and Paralympics.

So as I said, Sorry I haven’t written, please don’t put me in the stocks…..

Have a seat and I will try to remember how to blog.

Or maybe you would rather have a chair in the garden and order some tea and scones.

This weekend we had a lovely day fall day out to Stow on the Wold in the Cotswolds and it got me in the mood to blog again, computer issues or not.

It was such a beautiful day and everywhere you looked it was like a picture.

I had seen a picture similar to this one below online and that is what inspired the trip to Stow.  It is on the opposite side of the entry to St. Edward Church, like a hidden secret you most likely wouldn’t find it if you didn’t know it was there.  The church is just behind the Market Square pictured above. 

I liked the way the sun was coming through the trees.

Hope you are having a sunshine day.  Next time more pictures and some info about Stow.