Beautiful Lancashire

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

What a differance a few weeks make to the garden and country side!

A couple of months ago your garden looked barren

Now look at it

April /May June are my favourite monthe in UK

Thanks for the input TSR2 as you say they are good months.

Then again, all months are good, if we stay here enjoying them for as long as we can.

Rain, hail, snow, fog, sleet, ice or shine they all seem to get better.

[Mathos]

Thought I'd take Flobo away for a few days,
just on spec really, it's her birthday next week.

She was really chuffed that her 'Blue-tits'
had fledged as well, she had been waiting for that.



There were five in one nesting box and four in another at the top end of the garden.

The other two in the terraced box above remained vacant.

As TSR2 mentioned, it's a wonderful time of the year.
Special days, great to be in The UK on days like this.

These are the roads to be driving down.





Where else on the planet would you find scenes akin to this.





Simply spectacular.

We headed south.

Kept to the old roads most of the time
it was well worth the extra driving time.


Pulled into a super Country Inn for lunch.




It really was the 'bees-knees'



The Inn at Grinshill. (Shropshire near Lancashire )




We dined in the garden.

Al-Fresco.



A really fantastic day, nice and hot, not a cloud in the sky.

About 80F.





The Old Staff here was fair sweating it out under the shade afforded by the garden furniture.

[Mathos]

The Owner and his wife were outstanding hosts,
very friendly, nice staff as well.

The food was outstanding.


We were that busy enjoying the meal and talking to
'The Gaffer' we forgot to take photographs of the cuisine.

Not to worry.




We certainly were spoiled for choice in our
various destinations over a six day period.




Oh to be in England....


In a few brief words.




You can't touch this.



It got better, and better.

Sensational places.

Some amazingly outstanding photographs to
place here over the next few days or even more.


Watch the guy in the next photograph as well.




Did you get the bet on?



Come on, don't mess about, how did it do?



Yahoo it won, 10/1 an' all

[Mathos]

That was in the grounds of Ludlow Castle by the way.

I'm getting carried away, ad-libbing here.




What a spectacular town it is as well.



We do have a great deal to be proud of.

And a responsibility to look after it for future generations to come.

Places like this are totally unique, irreplaceable.



We had a coffee in the little café on the corner. Flobo had a big piece of Lemon sponge cake.

I had to stick to just coffee, because of my diet restrictions.


Look here though.





Sheer beauty of a special kind, a very special kind.

[Happyman]

Nice place is Ludlow !!

Did you manage to get to Stokesay Castle just down the road ?

Just about the best fortified manor house open to the public!

I still have a 'rod' on the river Onney that runs past it !!!

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Happyman

Nice place is Ludlow !!

Did you manage to get to Stokesay Castle just down the road ?

Just about the best fortified manor house open to the public!

I still have a 'rod' on the river Onney that runs past it !!!

'You lucky man'

We did, we stopped there briefly on the way home, Flobo wanted to call into Ludlow again, we noted the Castle at Stokesay.

Very nice.



It was getting on when we passed by, it would have been a criminal offence to have rushed a visit.

It looked absolutely brilliant.


We took a few photographs, (sample herewith) and have book marked it for one of our weekly drives.

It's about a hundred miles from home.
Not too bad a run, there's plenty more
to see in the area down and around the locality.






To say nothing of the roads.

[TSR2]

Originally Posted by Mathos

And a responsibility to look after it for future generations to come. Places like this are totally unique, irreplaceable.

Unlike some Towns that I could name!!

in the 50s/60s some Councils acted like Barbarians ( like "I know lets build some concrete Tower Block shite" to replace those awful Slums where people knew everybody, destroy a community !!)

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by TSR2

Unlike some Towns that I could name!!

in the 50s/60s some Councils acted like Barbarians ( like "I know lets build some concrete Tower Block shite" to replace those awful Slums where people knew everybody, destroy a community !!)

Totally agree with you TSR2.

The government have a way of making folk split.

I've noticed that over the years. No real community spirit anymore.

Pubs closing, no smoking!

They'd have never got away with that with the 'Old Soldiers' they've virtually all gone now. Imagine telling them they couldn't have a fag with their pint.

They'd have wrecked the joint.

Now it's all shit control with fancy management.

The object is obviously an attempt to stop folk thinking for themselves.

Control of the masses.

They're making 1984 look like Peter Pan.

George Orwell never came up with ideas like they are implementing.

[Mathos]

The only drawback to having a few days AWOL at this time of year is coming back to a jungle.


I haven't stopped outside the last two days. Still not up to scratch either.


Never mind, I enjoy it.

You don't really come across such a brilliant view as this one often enough.






A flying visit tonight, it's late for me!

A couple of interesting photographs though, from a beautiful sunny day, exactly a week ago today.

Absolute magic to come across buildings and streets of such
a wonderful, even remarkable calibre.



Beautiful and well maintained.

That's the real feature.



The timber is in brilliant condition.

I was really impressed with so much and so many.




To say little or nothing at all with regards to the stonework.




The Wheatsheaf looked brilliant.

Don't think I've ever come across a poor looking ' Wheatsheaf ' though.



The 'Old Timer' at the front looked a very content customer.

I think he was nodding off in the sun, pint in his hand.

Priceless.

The Triumph looked pretty good, was typically English.




I used to like the Old Bonneville.

Seems a long time back.


This made me smile.





Who was he trying to kid.

Nobody, but nobody would steal it.





What a gorgeous looking street this was.



The residents pride was glowing.

Here as well.



Places like this are priceless.

Rare you see anything of such a high calibre on the market either.

Not like Dubai at present.

Mate of mine tells me his £450,000..00 residence over there..

Would be lucky to fetch £200,000..00.

Sad.

I'd bet a weeks wage, this property would sell at a premium.



That is absolutely gorgeous.

Meanwhile back at The Wheatsheaf:-

Check the Chimney Stack out behind and above it.





That is absolutely priceless.

We woke the 'Old Timer' up as well.

This next one is staggering.




Spotless and absolutely brilliantly in all aspects.

Flawless even.


Doesn't this simply scream 'England' to you.



Even down to The Labrador

Amazing.

It wouldn't be a spring day in England either,
without a post completer such as this.



Isn't that something.

Rape oil seed an all.

[penelope]

Thank you Mathos - I've enjoyed these last pics so much.

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by penelope

Thank you Mathos - I've enjoyed these last pics so much.

Thanks Penelope, haven't seen you about for a while, thought perhaps you had gone off with the caravan.

It's great weather for it.

Take care, it's really good to know the photographs are appreciated.

Here's one for you, Genuine American Indians playing their music (Which was exceptionally good in Stratford On Avon)
on a super sunny day.




Really good.

[Mathos]

We drove towards the well known town of Stow-On-The-Wold




More exceptionally good countryside as well.

The buildings in town were fantastic from start to finish.



Everything looked perfect.

This leather shop link is worth looking at.

The Stow Leather Shop - Bags and Briefcases by Jane Shilton, Tula ...
The Stow Leather Shop can be found in the Cotswold town of Stow-on-the-Wold. The Cotswold stone building, with its original wooden beams, provides the ...
The Stow Leather Shop - Bags and Briefcases by Jane Shilton, Tula, Susy Smith, Smith and Casanova, East West and Hidesign - Coats by Woodlands, Sandwood, Swiss Smarty and Jack Murphy and much more... - 10k - Cached - Similar pages
More results from www.stowleathershop.co.uk »


Check this out as well, The Oldest Inn,in England,
is the claim vaunted by
'The Royalist Hotel.



What a simply gorgeous building it was as well.



Which ever way you looked upon it.


Nice bit of information here:-


Deep in the heart of the Cotswolds, lies a secret waiting to be discovered; England's oldest inn, The Royalist Hotel & Eagle and Child Cotswold luxury hotel accommodation in an historic setting

Located in the beautiful Cotswold town of Stow on the Wold (Stow-on-the-Wold), The Royalist Hotel dates back to 947AD and was built by a Cornish Saxon Duke named Aethelmar, as a refuge on the Fosse Way. A Grade II listed building, which ranks it amongst the top 4% of protected buildings in the country, and with timbers of over a thousand years old, The Royalist Hotel now offers luxury hotel accommodation across 14 individually styled rooms (including 2 junior suites).


The changing face of The Royalist Hotel in the Cotswolds

Over this thousand year history, the inn has seen many alterations and modernisations to create the luxury hotel accommodation available today, but still it retains many of its original features. These include the "witch marks" etched into the award-winning (2 AA Rosettes) restaurant's fireplace, said to ward off evil spirits, a medieval frieze, and a leper pit in the oldest part of the cellar.
Rooms at the inn

In medieval times, part of the building was known as "The Eagle and Child" Inn. The name derives from the crest of the Earl of Derby, which dates back to the 14th Century; our adjacent pub, which houses two of our luxury hotel rooms, is named in his honour.
The last battle

In 1646, Stow on the Wold was the site of the last battle of the English Civil War. Fought between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists, the hotel was used as the Royalists' headquarters during the battle. A letter from a Royalist Commander was also found at the hotel some three hundred years later. It is from these historic associations with the Royalists, that The Royalist Hotel in Stow on the Wold derives its current name.
The Royalist Hotel today

Now privately owned by local hoteliers Mark and Janine Vance, in its modern incarnation The Royalist is an intimate and luxurious hotel, one of the finest hotels in the Cotswolds. The hotel has 14 bedrooms, an award winning restaurant, and, in the Eagle and Child, one of the town's most popular pubs.



Click here to view our hotel room prices >>



The appearance was second to none.



The whole town was quite special in every aspect.



Where-ever you looked.



The residents and business premises owners had no need to tell you
they were proud of their lot.

It shouts out to you of it's own accord.

[Mathos]

There were some outstanding small and very picturesque hotels in the town.




Another real beauty here.

This Grade II Listed building dating back to the 16th century is in a
commanding position in The Market Square and fronts onto the
green where the original 17th Century Penal stocks still stand.
Built from the honey coloured stone, which characterises the
Cotswolds, the hotel is complete with ships' oak timbers,
which lend a truly Old English ambience to your stay.
Stow on the Wold is the highest market town in the Cotswolds
and a traditional coaching stop for travellers. With its wealth built
upon the mediaeval wool trade, today you will find its commerce
centered on the many intriguing antique shops in town.
Proprietors Jason and Helen Allen have conscientiously devoted
themselves to creating a hotel which offers all the home comforts.
The décor is tasteful and sympathetic to the period, while at the same
time every modern convenience is provided for your comfort and pleasure.

Good information to feast on.

Spotlessly clean and exceptionally well presented.

Some gorgeous little alley-ways:-

We found an exceptionally nice bar down one of these to have a coffee.

Flobo thought the shops were excellent.

An exceptional Church in town.

Architecture second to none at all.

The interior was beautiful.

Additonal link here as well.

Stow-on-the-Wold Parish Church

Page composition by. Allan Taylor of Vancouver, Canada http://allthecotswolds.com/ · Gypsy Fair Stow-on-the-Wold · More Photos of Church ...
Index of /~engcotsStowWoldPhotos01.html - 12k - Cached - Similar pages


This was an unusual but interesting memorial stone in the
Church Grounds as well.



Everything complemented the Town in general.



That form of consideration has to be appreciated.



Special isn't it.

[Estherashton]

This is a really nice pictures. Thank you very much

[Mathos]

Originally Posted by Estherashton

This is a really nice pictures. Thank you very much

Thanks very much Esther, glad you like the same.

[Mathos]

Another beautiful day in Lancashire today,
somewhat cooler, which made it much better
for working outside especially.

Meant to be turning cloudy and dull tomorrow,
with rain coming in on Friday.

Best make the most of tomorrow and finish as much as possible outside.

The garden's coming together nicely though.

I'm quite pleased with the majority of it at present.



I'll take some more photographs over the
next couple of weeks and place them on board.

[Mathos]

This next photograph is a brilliant example of some
of the roads we drove down.




We stopped at the Crown Inn here at Frampton Mansell.



It's a seventeenth century 'Cider House' steeped in history, you might say the perfect pub.

Absolutely beautiful rooms, splendid food with an outstanding choice.
Locally brewed real ales, open log fires for the colder nights.

Spectacular.

Look at this room:-



It dated back to 1633.

Magnificent

This superb example of a motor car made an appearance.



I wasn't all that sure what it was for a moment or two.

Then I realised it was French.



Interesting link:-

Hotchkiss (automobile) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
6 Sep 2008 ... Encouraged by two major car distributors, Mann and Overton of London and Fournier of Paris, Hotchkiss decided to start making their own ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotchkiss_(automobile) - 26k - Cached - Similar pages

Pity, they have glass bottom boats only in France.

It's so they can look at the rest of their Navy. (Past and present)


This was a really nice sunset.




Aren't we lucky.

The stone window frame units on most of the pub really were splendid.



Brilliant features.



Another absolutely beautiful room as well.

The red door on the right gave access to a winding staircase leading upstairs.

The decor in general was absolutely perfect.

[Mathos]

Good friend of mine called round Tuesday night with his 'Summer Only Car'

He's just put a new clutch in it, but it's snatching somewhat.



Nice looking machine though.

[Mathos]

That 'Old Feral Cat' was about again today.



The Critter has very peculiar eyes though.




Two lines.

Is that normal in cats, can't say I ever noticed before?

[Mathos]

The garden is looking quite good.




Both Flobo and myself get a lot of pleasure from the garden.




That Rhubarb should be ready to chew on in a few more weeks.

Flobo will be making crumble with it and serving it up with thick custard.

I'm not allowed any because of my diet.

Lost seven pounds in the last two weeks ending Friday last.




Had the last six days working none stop in the garden.

By the time I finish at one end, it's time to start back at the other again.


Potatoes should be flowering up in another week or two.

Onions are a bit slower.



The leafage is quite thick at the woodland section and the grass is struggling.

I might have to re-seed it with fancy seed which grows in heavily shaded areas.



I had to put a fence up in the woodland area last year.

Caught a bloke messing about in the garden one night.

They'll steal anything.

It's annoying.



One of my grandsons is going to paint the sheds and out-buildings plus a stretch of wall this summer.

That's a great help.