I really ought to know not to trust the weather forecasts. They foretold of sun and clear skies last week in our little part of England, and we believed them and took lightweight clothes on a holiday in the Cotswolds. It turned out to be mostly overcast, foggy and cold. We soldiered on trying not to think about our nice wooly coats we left at home. This is what greeted us. A lovely landscape and noble trees against a misty almost purple sky.
It is still a little chilly but this week looks more promising sunshine wise. It is officially Spring today, and the birdsong which greeted me at dawn seems to confirm that they know it.
I love all the seasons and feel very lucky to live in an English country village that entertains and delights us throughout the year with the changing of the weather, the hedgerows and the birds and animals.
Spring starts on the day of the vernal equinox, which can occur at different times each year, but is usually on the night of March 20th/21st. The word 'vernal' comes from the the Latin word for bloom and it refers to the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
A special little corner in a garden begins to show signs of Spring!
Tetbury – an ancient Cotswold market town
Tetbury is a market town whose rise came about due to the growth of the Cotswold wool trade. The town has over 1300 years of recorded history.
There are some really wonderful buildings in Tetbury including this iconic market house, built in 1655 in the heart of the town. It's painted a creamy pale yellow like the best tasting butter you can imagine.
This is one of the seating areas in Cafe 53, very pretty and comfortable! They say
they have the best coffee for miles around and they are not kidding.
In keeping with the royal connection and the upcoming celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this summer I really love this display of old suitcases and the
bowler hat.
These are all our photos, for once we had the camera and managed to snap away.
Spring starts on the day of the vernal equinox, which can occur at different times each year, but is usually on the night of March 20th/21st. The word 'vernal' comes from the the Latin word for bloom and it refers to the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
A special little corner in a garden begins to show signs of Spring!
The birds are very excited about the change of season and they celebrate it loudly. I love this poem which captures their elation so well.
Before you thought of Spring by Emily Dickinson
Before you thought of Spring
Except as a Surmise
You see -- God bless his suddenness --
A Fellow in the Skies
Of independent Hues
A little weather worn
Inspiriting habiliments
Of Indigo and Brown --
With specimens of Song
As if for you to choose --
Discretion in the interval
With gay delays he goes
To some superior Tree
Without a single Leaf
And shouts for joy to Nobody
But his seraphic self --
Except as a Surmise
You see -- God bless his suddenness --
A Fellow in the Skies
Of independent Hues
A little weather worn
Inspiriting habiliments
Of Indigo and Brown --
With specimens of Song
As if for you to choose --
Discretion in the interval
With gay delays he goes
To some superior Tree
Without a single Leaf
And shouts for joy to Nobody
But his seraphic self --
Tetbury – an ancient Cotswold market town
Tetbury is a market town whose rise came about due to the growth of the Cotswold wool trade. The town has over 1300 years of recorded history.
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| Tetbury Market House |
There are some really wonderful buildings in Tetbury including this iconic market house, built in 1655 in the heart of the town. It's painted a creamy pale yellow like the best tasting butter you can imagine.
You can see in this detail the cast iron fish across the front of the building and on the top. I love the glittery leaded windows. There is nothing like old glass, modern glass does not reflect as beautifully.
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| Brown and White Antiques Arcade |
This is one of my favourite antique arcades. It's called Brown and White and they display items in a wonderful refreshing way. I love the daffodils in the old enalled pan to herald the coming Spring. I was of course very tempted and did not leave this shop empty handed!
Cafe 53
So many places to see and things things to admire, but we had to stop for some lunch after all of this walking. This cafe was recommended to us, and it did not disappoint. It's at the side of the old building Brown and White is in and you can wander from the cafe into the antiques arcade. Bliss!
I love the decoration here, and the food and coffee were pretty fabulous too!
The blue etched glass of this arch is so stunning, and I love the victorian tiled floor
and the ladder hung on the wall.
and the ladder hung on the wall.
This is one of the seating areas in Cafe 53, very pretty and comfortable! They say
they have the best coffee for miles around and they are not kidding.
The Highgrove Shop
I admit it is expensive but I can never resist having a look in Price Charle's Highgrove shops. Even his logo is so charming that I covet it. I love crowns, always a sucker for
a fairytale!
a fairytale!
The shop in Tetbury is as enchanting as I have seen, with a really magical tiny garden off the shop. They have creatively displayed items with rustic shelves made out of old rough timber, and a few vintage items that are one offs like this child's toy horse.
In keeping with the royal connection and the upcoming celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this summer I really love this display of old suitcases and the
bowler hat.
These are all our photos, for once we had the camera and managed to snap away.
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Thank you Essie! We really enjoyed Tetbury and plan to go back when the weather is warmer so we can do some more exploring. The coffee alone in cafe 53 is worth the trip.
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