So, I have 2 more things to blog about The Cotswolds. I had a tour guide who took me around the countryside and I went to an art gallery with the tour guide which was a pure delight and surprise! So, here goes!
My tour guide was Don Wright. We drove around about 2 hours for 2 days so that I could "see what I could see". (my motto!)
Don picked me up at Stratford-on-Avon and we just drove around. The Cotswolds is a district of the UK consisting of many villages. The common thread, if you will, is the wool industry, the rolling hills, sheep and, of course, the prevalence of thatched roofs. The "Brits" are known for their beautiful gardens and The Cotswolds is an incredible display of that gift, or craft or as you wish to describe it. I have never seen such a flurry of color and types of flowers in my life!
I listed in my former blog the names of many of the villages that we visited so here I will basically show pictures of what I saw.
There was a Lord Weams' estate that we drove by.
His family was one of the Lords that presided over this area during the massive wool production times. Now the estate consists of many hundreds of acres here and land also in Scotland. On the grounds here there is a fountain that is the highest natural fountain, I believe Don said, in the world. It reminds me of the fountain in Geneva, Switzerland that goes straight up but this fountain was a naturally occurring water force that was redirected to straight up. I think they only turn on the fountain on special occasions and it was running while I was watching. I took a video and as soon as I figure out how to load and run my video program, I have lots of short videos to include in my blogs. Including the running of this fountain.
On the estate there is an outbuilding
that is now used for weddings and events.
They also have a church on the estate grounds.
There is an outbuilding in the middle of a field. Don explains to me that, I think he said, it was a building for friends to observe or rest during the hockey playing in the fields.
Don pointed out that the "feet" of the building look like upright cement mushrooms. They have a specific name for it but they were used to hold up buildings due to the sometimes "marshy" conditions following the frequent rains.
Don took me to a village, I believe it was Lower Slaughter, which had a water mill with ducks nearby. The watermill is not used professionally any longer but holds a gift shop on the premises.
Don also took me to a lavender field.
Lavender is grown in this area.
The countryside is beautiful. Very green and lush!
After several hours of sightseeing Don asked me if I wanted to do something different. I said yes! So, we went to an art gallery. The gallery was called "The Yellow Hat Tribe" art gallery located at Brookfield Farm, Chipping Norton.
Irene was not there but her husband, Vince, showed us her work.
I immediately loved it and bought several of her
greeting cards to pass on as gifts.
Since nature was calling, and there was no toilet in the gallery, Vince took me to the house and look what I discovered there!
Vince went to Zimbabwe to buy ostriches for his farm and found and purchased this incredible patio furniture. The table is massive and very heavy. I love the African touch it adds to Vince and Irene's backyard.
So, after 2 wonderful days of sightseeing here, I am off to yet another adventure, Bath. But before I go, I would like to share with you a few more of my favorite photos of this area.
Cheerio!
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