Valentines in the Vale

Adverse weather was not allowed to get in the way of our annual valentines away weekend. Well up a hill and safe from flooding we rented one of a small cluster of farm cottages at Downton near Ludlow on the Herefordshire/Shropshire border.

For a small market town Ludlow boasts some amazing architecture. Nearby arguable the best little tea shop in the country – Rocke Cottage Tearooms. 

In similar vain is Stokesay church and castle  

and this special plaque to the achievement of the church bell ringers




Above the area towers Clee Hill with its amazing views and equally amazing quarry remains scattered around the hill side.

There is no higher ground to the east until the Ural Mountains in Russia.

We also passed through the village of Cleobury Mortimer  where St Marys church spire bares a close resemblance to the twisted spire of Chesterfield.

All in all a cosy and not too damp valentines.

Water Water Everywhere

Village streams have turned into rivers and rivers into raging torrents. In many places there are miles upon miles of lakes where fields used to be, evoking memories of 2007 in the Gloucester/Tewkesbury area.

Amongst the sad spectacles have been Cameron procrastinating and portly pernicious Pickles pouring scorn on the very workers getting their feet wet on a daily basis helping those in need – which has rightly back-fired.

Having cut a swathe through public services those very public service workers still turn out willingly to help the effort, be they fire brigade, police, NHS workers, environmental health, social and housing workers!

Partnership made in Theatre Heaven

... that has to be Roald Dahl n Tim Minchin! Just concluded the second of my chritmas theatre package with Matilda the Musical @ the Cambridge. Checked in at the Travelodge Covent Garden - a well placed cheap n cheerful (and surprisingly quiet) sleepover - and been fed at Food for Thought, it was off the theatreland. The Matildas were well worth their awards but the show was stolen by Alex Gaumonds Trunchbull. An amazing musical, magical set, swinging scenes and with lyrics that are pure Minchin :)

That was christmas that was

Just back from the frozen, well wet n windy, north.




Real christmas trees abound sporting abundant presies :)








The day itself was restful and indulgent spent with Lynne n Craig at their amazing abode. There were many visits to and from members of the family, and a meet up with old friend Paul and his family,followed by a cooling off day in the Lake District.

Marilyn n Marion had to return early to Gloucester. Sis and I did Glasgow, twice. First for a Glenn Miller concert, braving torrential downpours it was worth it for a great concert. The second time, including a sleep over, in more clement weather was for a hogmanay concert. Glasgow's George Square was decked out for the festive season.

 













The New Years concert was absolutely fabulous. In traditional Scots style with the SFO,  Alastair MacDonald  MC/singer/raconteur in the true Harry Lauder/Andy Stewart tradition, singing star Cheryl Forbes supported by the Glasgow Youth Choir and dancing by the truly amazing young stars of the Dance School of Scotland. The show was brought to an end with Auld Lang Syne and the dropping of more balloons than I've ever seen in one venue - accompanied by giant party poppers :))

But all good things must come to an end and its back to Gloucester to start 2014.

Ride an Ice Swan

Seasons Greetings to all our readers  ~8l:-D

Just got back from a fun packed weekend in the Metrop. Yes it's birthday time again - seems to come round on a regular basis!!












Started with a trip up the Shard. Amazin lifts travelling @ 15 mph - but you hardly feel the movement (not like the old ones that left your stomach on the lift floor!). Quite amazing viewing the whole of London in miniature from a flippin great hight. Trains looking like model railways, buildings in a model village and toy boats floating up the Thames. Feels like your in Lilliput.

Next day onto Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park (no, nothing like the shambles in MiltonKeynes) this one just gets bigger n better every year. And this year a special event. An ice sculpture giant marque. Kept at a constant -8 degrees There were lifesize giants and dragons, all kinds of animals. A full size castle with stocks, prison and ice slide down to the moat :) The wander back through the Bavarian Village and the many craft stores surrounded by the smells of burning wood, waffles, doughnuts, mulled cider et al was just heady. 

Even an ice bar!

Don't know if you've read "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" by Mark Haddon - now a modern classic and a truly original and inspirational book. Wasn't sure how this would transfer to the stage but the National Theatre, Simon Stephens, Mark Haddon and Mike Noble worked their magic to create a truly memorable performance.
(add: Know I said it was a cracking play but this Thursdays performance seems to have brought the roof down!)












Drinks in Soho and supper in Jamie Olivers - how else would you end a perfect day in perfect company. 

L'automne est arrivé

Westonburt Arboretum is undoubtedly one of the best places to view natures autumn colours - never fails to disappoint. Sunday was a near perfect autumnal day. Clear blue sky, nip in the air and trees bedecked in colour.

The Forest of Dean is equally colourfull with many interesting trails to explore.

Talkin' Talkin

Talkin Tarn is near the historic market town of Brampton. Within a mature woodland covering around 150 acres it contains a glacial tarn with views of the Pennine Hills as a backdrop.

On a wonderful autumn day Sis and I walked the circular path around the tarn starting, and ending, at the renovated boathouse with its tearoom and gift shop.

The Tarn has traditionally been used for recreation since at least the middle of the 1800's. It was a popular destination for Victorians from Brampton and Carlisle and accessed by train from the North East. There are two traditional boat houses, one converted to a bird hide the other an artists studio.