A few days in the Cotswolds... a favourite area..

I joined Pete for a few days down in the Cotswolds. It's an area I love and have been there many times but I never tire of the beautiful places and scenery of the area. It's also only 2 -3 hours drive which again is attractive.

I started off at 6.00 am to beat the traffic on the motorway - and this I achieved. I stopped briefly in Woodstock ( a small pretty village) just to stretch my legs.

We'd arranged to meet at Hidcote Gardens.... a particular favourite. Needless to say I was rather early but it was nice to have a wander..

Pete arrived and we entered the gardens... we'd started our respective journeys in pouring rain but, I'm glad to say, the rain clouds abated and the weather improved as the day went on.

Whilst we waited for the gardens to open we had a wander andcame across these rather typical Farm Geese..

and a chicken!

and a grazing horse beside the pond complete with distant white goose swimming.

and some very pretty cottages.

Time came and we strolled through the gardens.

First stop was for a cuppa where several sparrows and some chaffinches kept us company.

This was like a three-sided summer house and the picture painting was wonderful

and the cat was taking full advantage of one of the wicker seats!

These two were obviously worn out :)

A very friendly young robin kept us company on a couple of occasions as we walked through its territory. It was so unfazed about our being there, that he came and sat on Pete's shoe ;)

We had an excellent lunch of soup (and shared a piece of excellent apple and sultana cake) before heading off to Kiftsgate for the afternoon... and more of that in the next post..