Well !
I can't believe how long it has been since my last blog!
... Seriously missing my blogging, and with things at Crafty Cottage and No.6 having now settled into a good routine with guests arriving/leaving on a regular basis, and the "changeover" days appearing to be relatively under control I was totally inspired by the town's attractions recently, - so grabbed my camera, my sunglasses and my husband (in that order!) and headed out incognito hopefully blending in with the many tourists that descended on Chipping Campden for the Open Gardens and other local events.
Sunday 22 June was my first day of exploration, - and what a day! .... glorious sunshine. My first achievement was to get Paul to pass The Eight Bells and head towards Old Campden House, - which now owned by The Landmark Trust was open to the public during that particular weekend. This doesn't happen very often - and certainly a first for us both ..
Keen to see the two pavilions or banqueting houses across the field, like many others we walked through the gateway which was once the grand entrance to Old Campden House, (to the right of the church) - It must have been such a beautiful Jacobean Mansion in its day, sadly destroyed by fire in 1645 ... just a little before our time!
We were also keen to make comparisons, as the Landmark Trust is a building preservation charity that rescues historic buildings at risk and 'let's them for holidays : the banqueting houses sleep 6 & 4 people. It was very interesting but impossible to compare them with Crafty Cottage !! - two totally different types of accommodations. The Landmark Trust
You can even see the wool in the field here, - where the sheep had obviously been sheared during the last couple of days!
It was a glorious sunny day, - and as we left the Campden House grounds I kept my half of the bargain ... and we made our way to the Eight Bells for a light lunch! just a hop skip and a jump away from the church, (*the historic Eight Bells actually housed the stone masons who built the church!)
Our short walk beside the Almshouses en route to the Pub, somewhat compared to a scene from any episode of Midsomer Murders! - as the morris men were gathering in readiness to perform ...
... such exhibitionists !
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- catching up with myself - a few weeks later I visited the beautiful Hidcote Gardens with my great friend and bridesmaid "Trude" (of Crafty Cottage/No.6 curtain fame!)
We had a lovely morning, it was good to see the "White Garden" which was the inspiration for the Arts and Crafts garden at Crafty Cottage.
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(I did actually take in excess of 70 photos which can be found on Crafty Cottage Facebook )
If I had to give a "tip" for anyone visiting Hidcote Gardens, that would be to take a stroll down the little lane through the village (hamlet?) - as most people seem to head for the car or the tea rooms after the gardens! - the village itself is beautiful .....
.. another tip would be to grab a copy of "Attractions & Events 2014" which has a 2 for 1 discount voucher inside which saves you £11 !
As we left Hidcote behind us, - lunch and a "natter" was very much on the agenda.
After a lot of deliberation and driving around we decided on ....
The Horse and Groom at Bourton on the Hill.
We had a lovely meal, - and it is a place that holds special memories for Trude in particular, as this was when and where she sent her first "Tweet" ( .... on Twitter !!!) ..
and the fabulous "COTTAGE CURTAINS" was created alongside a wonderful photo of the huge portion of fish and chips infront of her :-) !
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...... jumping back on the time machine and catching up with myself,
there have been many days over the past couple of months when the sun has been shining and the days (and views) have been wonderful!
Yes, the weather has been good for most of the time, and guests staying at Crafty Cottage - and Number Six have been very lucky to see our part of the Cotswolds in all its glory!
The Lavender fields at Snowshill were particularly picturesque ...
and you just never know what you are going to
come across up in the hills and around the corner!
(Snowshill)
.... and to bring things up to date,
inspired by a gorgeous sunny afternoon yesterday - I wandered around town, which certainly didn't disappoint me with photo opportunities!
I ended up at the beautiful Church in Chipping Campden ......
Wandering around the churchyard, - I came across the Arts and Crafts and modest gravestone of Gordon Russell,
.... and "being a local" my grandparents too ..........
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.... having now caught up with things - blog wise! - I will endeavour to keep the trusty blog updated on a more regular basis.
It is now almost 1 year - since our very first guests stayed in Crafty Cottage
"Hello Judi and Ian" :-) !!
we have had so many lovely and friendly people from all over the world stay in the cottages, and I know some of them have enjoyed glancing at the Blog, - to re-kindle the memories of their holidays in Chipping Campden.
We (that's the "royal we" .... it's really just me !) have embraced social media
... sometimes I haven't a clue what I'm doing - but thankfully I don't seem to have upset anyone yet!
I tweet on a VERY regular basis! - I update the Facebook page with photos (tweets go on there too!)
I have just added my first YouTube video of Crafty Cottage - (very much a beginners effort!)
and so "fingers crossed" things are going well at the moment!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog....
..... I will of course be keeping you posted!
The Postbox @ Hidcote
-S-
