Down Cotswold way..

As ever I seem to be running to catch up with myself. I shall get round to visiting everyone's blogs in the next day or so and my apologies that I've not visited recently - family matters!!

I joined up with Pete for a few days down in the Cotswolds last week. Unfortunately the weather wasn't kind and seemed even worse given the wonderfully sunny days we'd had before last Wednesday!

I set off much earlier than needed but the motorways were being kind (everyone has gone elsewhere it seems :D ) and I moved along in record time. I stopped in Woodstock for a cup of coffee and a rather tasty Danish at a lovely bakery and cafe... very yummy!!

Woodstock - a pretty Cotswold Village but like all the villages in the area, car parking was along all the streets making getting a "pretty" picture almost impossible.

(This picture's for Mum :D )

This notice was situated as you approached one of the entrances to Bleinham Palace - I was entertained by the wording :D

I met up with Pete (initially at Tescos) but then at the Red Lion (took me a tadge longer than anticipated), then we headed out for the rest of the day.

The Rollright Stones - ancient monuments.

We had a lovely lunch at a nearby pub and

then on to Chastleton - I love the Cotswold stone with it's wonderfully warm colouring.

Lots of topiary which must keep someone employed in a very exacting way!

The flower Echinops seems to be everywhere this year. This is good news as bees from all over seem to love it!

and inside the house was this intriguing picture of a Red Deer Stage. The body was painted on the wall but the head and antlers were sculpted... most unusual!!

The beds were fascinating... difficult to imagine actually sleeping in them though..

amazing ceiling details in one of the rooms

A very old crib for a very young babe. The sides were latticed and not very strong so I would imagine that the babe was very very young to have had this as its bed.

Looking down the stairs... a long drop!

now - this is how cooking used to be done....(thank goodness it's changed)

OK - this was the first day and there were some great surprises over the next few days...

watch this space!!