Build up to Christmas

Many people seem to gravite to the Cotswolds which I have lived in for over thirty year's but not really appreciated. So I am going to embrace the area that is within an hours drive of home and thought I'd share some of my trips.

I love being outside so it was great way to spend a couple of hours starting with a trip to The Sculpture Trail in The Forest of Dean.

It was surprisingly quiet, but it was chilly but great for slowing down and taking notice of what is around you.

My Son also loves photography and has recently bought the "classic" Polaroid which is great for instant development.

We didn't walk around the whole sculpture trail as we had a dinner booking but did see some beautiful things.

While waiting for Son I spotted these fungi growing on the tree, I absolutely love imagining little creatures living under them as shelter.

There was a mixture of weather from showers but then the sun popped through. You just can't beat the light and colours the sun brings.

On the way back to the car Son spotted these cool additions to the canopy which was so good.

So walk done we heading to a Toby carvery which I love as no cooking or washing up!

It was delicious and set me up perfectly for the last event of the day which is so special.

Visiting Tewkesbury Abbey for a Carol service. I will never tire of hearing them sing and the acoustics is just incredible.

Then for an end to a perfect day a stop off at a local pub for a refreshing drink.

What a great start to the festive season.

Tewkesbury with the bear

Back in April it was a glorious day so I decided to have a trip out with my beautiful furry companion to Tewkesbury which is just fifteen minutes drive from home.

A lovely lady took a picture for me as it's impossible on my own to do

That Abbey and the grounds are always such a tranquil and special place to  visit. 

The sound when they have a performance is just spectacular here. 

I always light a candle for my Dad when I visit anywhere that you can.  I'm not religious as such, but it's just my way of talking to him. 

Churches are also one of the few places, if it's quiet enough that Luna is happy to have a little wonder. 

This window is just incredible when the sun shines through. 

One of the reasons I love Tewkesbury so much not only because it's small town, but it's the closest place to water I can get too. 

Luna is incredible (albeit a little heavy to carry) but she just loves to lie down and quietly watch the world go by. 

I often walk across the field, called "The Ham" as I love to see the weir which was running well. 

Black and white photography is definitely one of my favourite mediums for showing a picture. 

I hope you enjoyed taking a walk with me. 

Trip to Tewkesbury with Kitty

So I am the lucky owner of a beautiful cat.  

She is an indoor cat, but she loves coming on adventures with me in the van. 

Today we went to Tewkesbury, a place not too far from home that I know she is happy with. 

It's about an hour's walk and lots to see. 

She's happy to just lie and watch the world go by. 

I loved these flowers out and considering it's the first of October and it was 20° it was a very pleasant temperature to walk in. 

I've been to this part of Tewkesbury so many times but never seen this building from this angle. 

They always do lovely flower display which makes the town really pretty. 

These cottages where the inspiration for a degree piece of knitwear I made many years ago. 

I thought walking across the Ham would have been soggy with recent rain, but it was lovely and dry. 

I never go to Tewkesbury and not visit the weir.  I love hearing the sound of the water. 

The Abbey is such a grand building. 

Not sure if these cottages get flooded as Tewkesbury is prone to bad floods. 

 Another lovely afternoon out. 

Rococo Gardens and Snowdrops for the last day of February.

So today the weather forcast was for 10 degrees and sunshine, so I decided to head off to a beautiful garden only 20 minutes from home called Rococo Gardens in Painswick.

On my way, as I was early I stopped of at an amazing view point and took this picture overlooking May Hill and the town of Gloucester in the dip.  On a clear day you can see all the way to the Black Mountains in mid Wales.

This is the view of the kitchen garden along with a selection of beehives, I bet the honey tastes delicious!

This building is called Eagle House, they are unsure whether it was because you have an Eagle's view over the land, or because they actually housed an Eagle in there!

This building is appropriately named the "Red House"

I love this grand pegoda at the top of the garden which has a small pond at the base of it.

Dotted around the grounds were amazing sculptures so intricately carved.

Then we have this carving of a magical castle in the branch of a tree, isn't it just brilliant!

I love the reflection in the Swan Pond 

Then we have the main reason most people come here, especially at this time of year to see the spectacle which is the flowers.

I loved this tree, they had cut off what every it was that was growing up the trunk, but it just looks so gnarled and perfect for Jack and Beanstalk! 

Apparently the snowdrops were on their way out now, but to me they still gave an incredible show.

This was the view overlooking the Vale of Stroud just so tranquil.