Alan B'Stard est mort

Oh no! Another one bites the dust. The amazing Rik Mayall is gone :'-( http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27770266

Ade Edmondson sumed it up like this : "There were times when Rik and I were writing together when we almost died laughing.

They were some of the most carefree stupid days I ever had, and I feel privileged to have shared them with him.

"And now he's died for real. Without me. Selfish bastard."

He really was amazin!

Another Colourful Weekend

Bright sunshine inspired another garden foray into gardens to the north and south of Gloucestershire.

Shuttifield

When Mr and Mrs Judge first moved to the cottage at Storridge, near Malvern in 1966, it was a two-up two- down with no garden. But after purchasing various parcels of land, beginning in 1981, the garden has continued to grow and evolve. The grounds now boast 30 acres of gardens and woodlands – awash with flora and fauna at this time of the year – four natural ponds and a small deer park.

North Cerney

Set in a valley in the Cotswolds Cerney House sits amid a landscape composed of lawn, wildflower meadow and mature trees, including one of the largest aspen poplars in the country. To the rear is the heart of the garden, rectangular, gently sloping walled garden. A woodland of mature beeches sit aside an orchard with easy to walk paths. Also poppies and peonies were in full bloom alongside a beautiful laburnum arch.

An outstanding feature was found, not in the garden, but in the tea room :) Not the usual Victoria sponge and lemon drizzle rather two deep fresh fruit Pavlovas :-p

Maya Angelou

Tribute to Maya Angelou 1928 - 2014

who inspired a whole new generation of women writers.

Hutton in the Forest

Just got back from visiting Lord n Lady Inglewood in their country pile just south of Carlisle.











The name comes from Ingle Wood that used to stretch from Penrith to north of Carlisle and was reputed to be one of the richest hunting forests in England - attracting Henry Tudor himself. The extensive grounds were once set to very rigid formal gardens but are now mainly open pasture with a small formal walled garden. The grounds were also used during WWII to hide active planes from the Luftwaffe. 

Rockin Robin

These little fellas are supposed to be quite territorial but I guess when there is plenty of food about, and this chap knows all about food aplenty -

they didn't bother with the crumbs and went straight for the cake off the plate, cheeky ****

This one was camera struck, up for a bit of posing!

... but we won out in the end ;)

Early Bank Holiday

Finally,after all these years, I've found the solution to great bank holidays - go the weekend before!! Had to this time because of diary probs. The weather was great, the crowds few, the motorways almost empty - delightful.

Seemed a bit of a contrast with Marion in Kenya n bombs goin off all around her (she is safe n sound though) n us in the tranquil south coast spot of Seaton - can thoroughly recommend Blue Waters friendly beyond belief, comfy beds n breckie served in your room :))

One of Seatons delightful aspects is its tramway. Circumnavigating the picturesque Tescos it then double dog-legs to travel a few miles up alongside the River Axe estuary, stopping briefly at Colyford before going forward to the lovely little village of Colyton (Devon's most rebellious town) They have 13 trams in their current fleet including two that would not be out of place on Blackpool seafront.

After the peace of the villages the bustle of Lyme Regis came as quite a contrast, though it is a seaside resort and it was a lovely day. 

Upward n onward to Sidbury where we chanced upon their 100 years Festival of Flowers and Memories relating to 1914 - 2014, with cameo sets in the church and a number of village gardens open to the public.

... a wander round Sidmouth then back to Beer for a beer :))

All too soon time to head back. Stopped off at Burrow Farm Gardens, what a treat, almost like a miniature Heligan. A beautiful 10-acre garden with unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, where the rhodies and azaleas were in full bloom, and a traditional summerhouse looks towards a lake and ancient oak woodland. 

This May Hurt a Bit

An amazing play by Stella Feehily caught at the revamped Bristol Old Vic. A tour de force in support of the NHS and a wake up call to those who would let it demise through apathy. The dialogues between Winston Churchill and Aneurin Bevan were inspirational - and, of course, the three hander with the budgie "Margaret".




Top praise for Stephanie Cole who turned in a performance typical of the true trooper she is.



Another great innovation was the programme, just £3 and contained the full script, in the public domain. now that's show biz!



Also worth a mention is the food n drink fest taking place in the park opposite. The most amazing structure constructed of interwoven teepees internally bedecked with thousands of fairy lights n sound equipment. 

Worth catching them both if you can :)