Daytripping

On Wednesday,  27 June, I took a friend and her two children (9mon, and 4yrs)  the Cotswold Farm Park. It was a cloudy day but no rain so it was perfect for walking around the farm.The owner of the farm park, Adam, is TV presenter who I have watched. He is on a show called Country File. It's a great show about life on a working farm in the Cotswolds. I was in heaven, with all the lambs, piglets, chicks etc. They have the most impressive collection of livestock, highland cattle were so cool with their long hair, and long horns. There is a great combination of farm and fun with jumping pillows, climbing frames, mazes, tractors for the kids and tons of farm animals. We enjoyed a quiet ride home as both kids fell promptly asleep.
I loved it this farm park. Could this be an employment opportunity?
 Best of all, I drove there and home, no problem!

Saturday June 23
Recently we bought a book on Cotswold pub walks, I may have mentioned in an earlier post. Saturday was looking like a good day to start using it.  Walk # 1 started in the village of Blockley, We had never heard of this town and were curious about it.  The walk was 4 miles, beginning and ending at the Crown Inn. The village is just beautiful.

We got off to a slow start when we didn't follow the instructions closely enough and circled the church yard back to the pub.  Once we got on the right route, we headed up a steep incline passing field after field of sheep with their lambs. I wanted to snatch one and take it home, they are so cute.  Once on the top of the hill we  walk along the hilltop and  then went down into the village of Batsford. There are two interesting things in Batsford. The arboretum houses over 10,000 rare plants and is worthy of a visit at a later time.  Also, there is a stud farm there with some very impressive historic buildings and fields of mares with foals.

While trying to get a photo I came too close to the electric fence and got a shock. I wooped so loud I almost started a stampede,  but worse than that I almost threw my phone over the fence. It must have been quite a site. Andrew said a video of this  would have gone viral on YouTube!
We continued on up and over another hill admiring the views and the wildflowers which included, foxgloves, poppies, Queen Ann's Lace and buttercups. Pretty soon  we were back to the pub had a lovely lunch. Beautiful walk!

 On the way to Blockley we saw a sign that said Royal Enfield Factory Open today 12-5. I got excited thinking it was a china factory, but Andrew set me straight. Royal Enfields are motor bikes.  This facility actually makes the sidecars.

The motor bikes are made in India. When we stopped by there were fifty or so motorcyclist visiting and Andrew had a great time Looking at their bikes.  they were giving test drives on the Royal Enfield bikes, I  tried to get Andrew to sign up, but since he doesnt have his UK license yet he wasn't permitted. .... Next time.


Snowshill. June 24
We are members of the National Oak Foundation, which allows us to visit National Trust properties for free.
The BBC recently had a show about Snowshill Manor. This house is only a short drive from Cheltenham. We have been there before and loved it.

Charles Paget Wade bought the house and surrounding property after he returned from the first world war and soon started filling it up with treasures. He was an eccentric who dabbled in engineering, painting, and a number of other pursuits.

The interesting thing about his collection is everything in is handcrafted.  It is the most amazing collection of curiosities. One room is full of Chinese samurai uniforms,(on scary mannikins) Andrew enjoyed to room of antique bicycles from all around the world. He did not do a lot traveling, he became a notorious collector and people contacted him with possible additions. A music room houses all sorts of instruments.

He didn't live in the house, but stayed in the rustic priests house. The gardens are so beautiful. With ponds and a vegetable gardens, and statues.  He was such an interesting character.  This is a house not to be missed.

On the way out we saw signs for Cotwold Lavendar Farm and decided to take a detour and check it out.