Hello again - We have had a week of meeting quite a few locals here in the little hamlet of Knightcote. Sue was out walking early one morning - gorgeous walk takes you through the village out to a country lane that has very few cars on it - mostly folks and their dogs - but just so pleasant on a sunny morning - and on way back home passed a local gentleman (Richard) hoeing weeds in the driveway. Stopped to say hello and let him know we were resident in the Farmhouse - locals call it the Manor house as it was the original farm house with hundreds of acres once upon a time and the village grew up around it. In fact the house 2 down from us was once three workers cottages and then was the home for the last owners (Bill) parents. He was an only child and led quite an eccentric life apparently and keep to himself and his quite posh friends.
Richard introduced me to Rita his gorgeous bubbly wife and we arranged a cup of tea for Thursday afternoon. She invited Moira and Graham who live across the road from them - and in the house that was the three workers cottages originally - hope you are following. Moira has been a teacher around these parts for many years so where ever she goes she meets parents of kids she has taught - kids she has taught, or kids of kids she has taught, or fellow teachers etc.
Moira invited me to flower morning she was going to being held by a friend - ex teacher I think - Barbara who lives in the next village has Folly Flowers and has a large rambly but abundant garden so we were able to pick what ever we chose and made up fresh wreaths. Was lovely to meet some new girls - did not mention that I was a floist tho -
John and I joined Moira and Graham that same afternoon to attend a primary school in Warwick where Moira used to be head teacher. She had been invited to the afternoon which celebrated the year of the African Child - and several schools united to perform a drumming concert to celebrate this day. It was well done. We then spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Warwick - along the Avon River which takes you past the enormous Warwick Castle, through old streets, into the church, and the main centre of the town. Was very pleasant.
We have spent some time ourselves exploring even more of the cute villages around here. Edgehill is the site of the first battle of the civil war and about 5 miles away. Is on the side of a hill so gorgeous views and very quaint. Nearby is a government ammunition depot and army base camp where soliders used to live and a memorial on the side of the road to commemorate those who lost their lives in the battle. The bodies are buried in a enclave of trees that no one is allowed access to. Had a delicious ploughmans lunch in the pub and a chat to the owner who has had a career in the film industry. He was very impressed with Peter Jacksons movies!!
Also met, through Moira, an elderly couple - Vera and Derek. Vera used to look after the previous owners Mother in her later years so knew the house and garden here very well. She came by for a cuppa one morning and was able to tell us some history and changes that have taken place. The tower attached to our flat was originally for the geese and then an office and our flat was a barn for stock. John has promised to make her a date and banana cake and invite them around again for coffee.
Had a well earned day off last Sunday and drove through to the picture perfect Cotwolds. Veronica - a neighbour on the other side of us is a gardener who looks after a couple of properties and she has given us lots of useful information on gardens to visit - I attended the local gardening club meeting with her last week - visited a well planted garden about 30 min drive from here. She gave us a flyer on an artist who had an exhibition at Bourton House at Bourton on the Hill. The cotswolds are so picture perfect I just could not stop taking photos. Bourton House also had a superb garden which we really enjoyed walking around. Stopped at Moreton in Marsh on the way - another gorgeous picture perfect village with beautiful galleries, antique shops, cafes, a really good cheese shop - I think we made a purchase in all!! The cafe we had lunch at had three pages of tea varieties to choose from. Luckily the young waitress was very helpful in giving suggestions as to which tea would compliment our food choice. -
Have also made a new special friend - Barley - She is the cutest Great Western Terrier (dog). Met her and her Mother Sarah on a couple of walks around the circuit. Sarah is about to start a new job for 3 days a week at High Wycombe which is about an hours drive away. I have offered to walk Barley those days - we start tomorrow and I had a practise run with her this evening,. She is just gorgeous and really energetic - In fact she will be taking me for a walk - and easily pulls you along on a bike - will have to get one of the bikes out!!
Our six baby moorhen chick are growing - still cute and fluffy but developing wings now. Hope you are all well and thanks for the lovely comments. Bye for now the cook and the gardener.
No comments:
Post a Comment