A Summer Holiday In The English Countryside

Well, we're back from holiday. Isn't it funny how you spend months planning and then it's over in a flash. But we did have the most lovely time. It was very relaxing and stress free and a little bit other-worldy as we were staying in a cabin deep in the Wiltshire forest at Longleat. We cycled and swam every day and had barbecues at night. It rained a little, and the sun also shone for us too. We were visited on our first night by red deer, right outside our cabin, grazing on the wild flowers and grass. We had regular visitors of squirrels, a robin and three very greedy ducks which I named Snatchy, Grabby and Greedy. Without fail, three times a day they came to our patio door demanding food, tapping on the glass with their beaks! 

The area was typically British - lush, green fields and forests and beautiful stone houses. We visited Longleat for the day, which was beautiful. 

We spent hours at the Safari Park there but didn't have time to go into the house - there is just not enough time in one day to do it all!

I visited Bath for the afternoon by myself and explored the lovely Georgian architecture as well as visiting the Jane Austen Centre and Sally Lunn's, the oldest house in Bath. I had tea and cake - Elderflower and Gooseberry if you're interested.I just thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

 I love old creaking staircases. 

I bought some famous Bath Buns from Sally Lunn's and enjoyed them for breakfast the next day. They are delicious sliced and toasted on the sliced side only and then spread with butter, toasted again, and then spread with jam. Absolutely yum. You can see I bought a few.....

I also bought some Jane Austen tea which is a lovely blend of Yunnan and Darjeeling teas. A very nice souvenir of my afternoon. 

The Jane Austen Centre was fascinating and has re-ignited my love for all things Jane. I've always enjoyed the books and films but I know I'll be revisiting them again soon. 

Her beautiful wax work was on display and is as close a resemblance that they can imagine given the limited portraits available of her. 

I bought red sealing wax and a brass seal for my letters in the gift shop. I have sealed my envelopes with wax since I was a student in London.  

Bath is such a lovely place to visit. So elegant and pretty and with beautiful shops to visit as well. I never made it to the Roman Baths as I knew that would take the best part of a day to visit. But next time....

I'm So Excited, I Just Can't Hide It!

Tomorrow we are going on holiday! I'm so excited I could pee my pants (easier for a middle aged woman to do than you may think). And it's funny that, because only a few weeks ago, while out walking Thumper, I was pondering life - as one often does when walking a dog, it's very good therapy - and I realised that although I am very, very lucky to feel real joy in my every day stuff, and feel a lot of genuine heartfelt gratitude for that happiness, I realised that I never actually got excited about anything anymore. I could feel happy about something, but never got that giddy high octane feeling that you experience as a child almost every day. So, it was relief when I realised earlier this week that I had finally rediscovered my 'inner excitement' and was getting giddy about our holiday. There's life in the old girl yet!   

We are driving south to Wiltshire, right near the bottom of England, and a beautiful part of the country. It's not an area I have been to before (unless driving through it about 20 years ago qualifies as having been there).

We are staying near Longleat, at the Centre Parks there. We're going to spend the days swimming and walking, having picnics and barbecues and playing swingball and board games. And I'm going to read lots of books - something I don't seem to get the time for at home. Running a business from home and taking care of family and Thumper seems to use up all my allocated time and there is little going spare.

Look at the swimming pool....!

And that's only one of the water slides!

The countryside is stunning down there - I'm hoping we get a sneak peek of the Cotswolds as well.

And Stonehenge.  So ancient and mystical.

And Avebury.

I'm very excited about seeing these wonders.

But I'm also very excited about just spending time, lazily, all day, for 11 days, just together with my family. Now that is exciting!

https://www.longleat.co.uk/

http://www.centerparcs.co.uk/villages/longleat/index.jsp

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/stonehenge/

Fishing, crepes, cider and Disaronno

The rain held off yesterday to allow us a respite from the damp and cooler air we've experienced over the last week. The garden has had a good soaking and the flowers were looking a little battered but started to perk up again. We had friends over for the afternoon and took the children a walk with a fishing rod and a bucket. Thumper met his friends and had a sniff and a play. As well as annoying the odd dog-unsure tourist who didn't want lick-kissed or sniffed. They don't know what they're missing. I never understand people who can't take affection from a dog. I mean, they don't know what gorgeously pure doggy love they're rejecting. Thumper just wants a treat in return, if possible. But a cuddle will do nicely, he's not too fussy.

(All tiddlers were returned to their friends in the water after being studied at close quarters in the bucket for half an hour.)

Then it was back home for food. A Brittany inspired evening of French cider and crepes, courtesy of our own French chef of the evening, Lionel. 

 

Filled with ham, cheese and egg. Absolutely delicious. And finished with a dessert crepe of bananas, caramelised sugar, and flambeed with the Amaretto liqueur Disaronno! Only for the grown ups.....the children had honey and Nutella on theirs. 

(Clever people will notice the spelling mistake......)

Just another lovely day.

The Clouds Have Rolled Back In

What a difference a day makes in Edinburgh. In Scotland. Our weather is temperamental, especially in summer. We take it as it comes. No other choice really! Yesterday and the days before were a happy 20+ degrees in the sun. Today, well, its dark, cloudy and cold. Its dropped a good 10 degrees. Be prepared for this if you are intending visiting Edinburgh anytime!

I had a stroll in to town with a friend yesterday - hot pavements and bare shoulders. Cool spots in the shade to keep Thumper comfortable. We walked to Tollcross to visit RealFoods, the health food store and then back up through Bruntsfield Links onto Bruntsfield Place looking at the windows of the lovely little independent shops along the street there. One of those was a beautiful shop just off Bruntsfield Place on Viewforth. White and cool inside, it had the most gorgeous selection of Moroccan pottery, rugs, lamps and bags. I'll be going back to buy presents there - soon! Unfortunately it doesn't have a website otherwise I would put a link up. But it's not hard to find as it's just a few yards off Bruntsfield Place on Viewforth on the left hand side. Worth a wander down to.

Bruntsfield Links in the sun....

and the shade......

By the time we got home we were pooped and ready for a rest. Thumper had a good nap.

But today, today is a different story. It's dark and cold...

And the kind of day, whether winter or summer, that I need a cocoa.

I make war time cocoa. Not hot chocolate, not instant. Cocoa like my Grandfather made on the farm. A teaspoon of cocoa in a mug, add as much or as little sugar as you like to taste (I like lots) and pour in about an inch of evaporated milk from a can. Top up with boiling water and stir, whisk and whizz until smooth and creamy. You might notice I added some whipped cream and mini marshmallows...not quite so war time. But a very tasty addition. I'm drinking this at my desk when I should be working. But I'd rather blog - it is Friday afternoon after all.

Happy Friday everyone!

http://www.realfoods.co.uk/stores

http://www.bruntsfieldplace.com/

Stockbridge Market in Edinburgh

My lovely friend and I had a fabulous walk into Stockbridge Market along the Water of Leith today. There is no way from the photos below you would think that this is in the centre of a capital city - but it is!

The walk is glorious at this time of year and the lucky tourists who discover it are transported to a lush cool walkway with the illusion at times of being deep in the Scottish countryside. The locals, including me, take it for granted that this winding path will take us into town bypassing all traffic, noise and pollution (apart from the odd bike whizzing past). I feel the urge to purchase a vintage bike with a wicker basket on the front for cycling along to the market to buy my weekly artisan bread and cheese. Pictures to come!

Thumper, the dog, has grown up walking, sniffing and playing with his friends along here and it's the perfect safe place for him off lead - I think he actually believes this is his back garden that he kindly shares with others!

Entrance to the market...

Paella Stall - this has a very long queue every week.....

  Too delicious to even try to describe

It's a vibrant market, especially on a sunny Sunday.

There are cheese stalls, meat stalls, artisan bread stalls, brownie stalls, soap and handmade potion stalls, and even a doggy treat stall (yes, Thumper did get a bag of Liver Cake Treats)

The lovely walk back home.....

St Bernards Well was open today and we had a peek inside.

And isn't it beautiful?!

Thumper struck a pose and I fudged it ;)

Gardens along the path - these are private gardens for the New Town flats above, just out of view.

A magical walk into the shade.

Stockbridge Market is open every Sunday 10am til 5pm. 

http://www.stockbridgemarket.com/stockbridge.html

We walked along the Water of Leith from Roseburn to Stockbridge and back. 

http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/

The sun shines on us

Yesterday was such a beautiful day in Edinburgh. I left my desk and called a friend to come over for afternoon tea.  It was truly a blue sky day.

These days are not to be missed, it often rains in Edinburgh in summer and is often cold. When the sun shines we get out into it!

A pot of tea and a quickly rustled up chocolate cake, still slightly warm from the oven.

And as the day faded I went for a walk with Thumper and picked some cow parsley. It's so beautiful lit by the evening sun coming in through the sittingroom window. 

Beautiful Doors

Yes, beautiful doors. I always think there is something mysterious and hidden behind an old wooden door. Secrets within. I never know whether to be thrilled or scared when I push open a long closed door, as it grates against the floor and the hinges grumble, threatening to abandon their appendage altogether. You never quite know what's behind. Sometimes its rats, sometimes old dusty boxes waiting to be explored, sometimes, well, nothing. Always a bit of a disappointment but if the room is empty and the walls peeling there is also that sense of wonder of what could be - if the room was once more warmed with a fire and the walls painted with limewash. Old pieces of furniture pushed into place to bring the room alive again.

I was recently in Beaugency on the Loire Valley, staying with family. I know the little town quite well now and I always spend time wandering the streets looking at the ancient architecture, the old houses, the gardens hidden behind walls - peeking here and there. Last time I was there though I noticed the beautiful doors that were all over the place.

They promised such hidden delights! Only known to a few. Or no one! Closed up for decades and forgotten. I can tell you I was desperate to get a look behind them but feared I might get into trouble with the locals......

 

Some were elegant, promising beautiful rooms beyond. If only I could have just had one glance to satisfy my curious eyes. Alas, I was destined to remain frustrated!

Some were just grand.

And some were surrounded by ancient stone.

And then we drove to Orleans for a day out. That city is lovely too, with ancient buildings on tight narrow streets in the old town, and the more elegant pale stone city buildings with trams trundling past in the newer part.

 

 I found this shop, how romantic is this to step into?

There is magic in the every day. Even just in a front door!