silence

Blue skies, sunshine, open space, beautiful buildings, water, walking in silence.

♥

blue sky and bunting!

the beautiful old town of tetbury

Oh we do need some summer sun......! some blue skies and some bunting flapping gently in the breeze.

This was a little jaunt I went on last week. I had three hours to spare, while I waited for an appointment. After doing the early morning drop off it seemed silly to drive back and forth again. Not much has changed since I wrote this post here, except less snoozing time on my part.

I do love to wander around nice places, just taking in the day. I realize that some of my happiest moments are when I am escaping for a while into another place, either that or when I'm creating. It's nice to give yourself permission to just hang out somewhere and watch the world go by. It's a way re-finding myself for a while, away from everyday.

Tetbury is a very traditional English town in the Cotswolds. Originally a center for wool and yarn trading in the middle ages. The houses are characterful and built from Cotswold stone, many with original Tudor detail.

Across the street there I found my new colour inspiration house there on the corner! Freshly painted sandy colour walls, with a bright aqua blue woodwork. I like it very much. Re-painting a house is quite something though.

There it is again on the corner. I think it might have been an old pub looking at the billboard. I like to wander around looking at the houses, the tastefully painted woodwork and pretty Wysteria climbing the walls.

It truly is Wysteria season here in the Cotswolds. It's so very pretty. Looks nice with the painted windows!

We are definitely on royal stomping ground here. We call it Prince Charles' polo country! He lives nearby at Highgrove and also has a shop in the high street called Highgrove. 

The high street is full of antique shops. Everything is quite expensive here, although I do have a look in several charity shops. Little dog is allowed in everywhere except Highgrove! She is greatly admired by many here, a town full of dog lovers it seems!

early sunflowers for sale

I love all the bunting, it's seems to be what we do best.

Lots of visitors come here. It's daytripable from London. Looking in the toy shop window I spied this London in a bag set, love this. I grew up in the suburbs of London and enjoyed roaming around there. Now I love the countryside here. This has become my sons childhood home, which makes it really important. But if I were to live anywhere else it would probably be the coast. I like the Jurassic coast.

Oh and last thing to do before my meeting, refreshments of course!

Sometimes I people watch from the cafe sitting outside on the street. Little dog is allowed in, even inside! (dog-lovers!) sitting outside, each chair has it's own sheepskin thrown across and a wool blanket should it be chilly! so you can sit here even in the winter.

But this day, I have a mini flask and I find a quiet spot in the churchyard amongst the Cowparsley. I have to compose myself.

While I was there I've taken a picture of the wild flower guide, so I can learn the names.



Can you identify many?

And then it was off to my meeting. It's nice to escape now and again.

I think I'm going to have to get out the bunting and bunitfy something this weekend. Do you like that word?!

Hope the sun comes out where you are,

Heather

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this morning

This morning I awoke to this amazing blue sky.

But I wanted to share that last night I had awoken in the night feeling unusually panicked, about christmas. A few, probably, slightly unfounded worries and the general worry about last posting days and such like.

It wasn't pleasant, heart racing with what ifs and what have yous! it's a shame to feel like this and I don't really know where it came from. Not having mastered a zen like approach to it, possibly my approach is to slightly ignore it, and then when it gets suitably close, freak out about the responsibility of it!

So with a slightly shaken demeanour this morning and not feeling quite hardy enough for the windy common I set out to visit the trees in the park. The blue sky and bright sunshine was just what I needed, soaking up all that vitamin D on my face!

and oh I was definitely seeking strength from this mighty British Oak tree here. Not quite tree hugging! but in much appreciation. This awesome trunk must measure at least 2 metres around, and has weathered many christmases. A truly strong tree!

I wonder how old? ....hundreds of years, maybe even 500 years old.

As I walked the stress began to fall away. Just breathing out in the fresh air and space. I need this so much.

The beautiful light over the pond and the swans. Isn't it magical?

Walking up past the museum in the park. Imagine when it was a stately home with it's own grounds and lake.

                                   

Up through the Canadian pines, I love these trees,
.....it all helped.

This evening I wondered through the town, the last half and hour of opening time, so lovely and calm.
I saw the christmas trees lit up inside the church, they even let me bring my dog in! It was a quiet and magical atmosphere inside. I hope I can carry some of this feeling through advent.

What about you,
How are you feeling today? are you okay?