The Cotswolds, England 2019

The heat this summer has discouraged me from doing frequent blog entries,

but now it's time to talk about my holiday in England.

I hadn't been back for three years and I was beginning to miss the unique atmosphere

of my home country!

The first part of my trip took me to the beautiful Cotswolds.

This is the area where my dad grew up with his parents and sister.

It is well-known for its rolling green hills and hedgerows

and houses and walls built in the beautiful honey-coloured Cotswold Stone.

I do love coloured front doors and was immediately attracted to this blue one in the photo above. 

Five-bar gates is another favourite

They're so welcoming as we look beyond them into gardens or fields.

I can't visit the Cotswolds without going to the village (though I believe they like

to call it a town these days) of Charlbury.

This is where my dad lived with his family and where he and his parents are buried.

I always take some flowers when I visit them.

Here is the familiar entrance to the lovely cemetery.

You can see a typical dry stone wall too.

Such a peaceful resting place with a view over green hills and grazing animals.

I think that I take a picture of this red postbox, set in the wall, every time I visit!

Behind the wall is the most beautiful garden in the village.

Full of roses and clematis and lavender and many other flowers.

The bees were very happy in this garden too.

The scent of the lavender was wonderful.

I even met the lady who lives here and complimented her on her wonderful garden!

She told me that she and her husband had retired here after working in London.

There are beautiful clematis in different colours against many of the houses.

This one is my favourite.

This one is my favourite.

We stayed in the small market town of Moreton-in-Marsh in the Evenlode Valley,

within the Cotswolds area in Gloucestershire.

The railway station on the Cotswold Line allows us to travel directly to London.

The journey takes about one hour and thirty minutes.

These colourful poppies were growing in the town.

We couldn't get to our favourite privately owned gardens opened to the public,

but you can see their beauty here:

An English Country Garden

I had got to know a fellow lady photographer through a photo site.

We decided to meet up in England where they live, not far from where we were staying.

Look at the fabulous view they have from their home!

The weather-vane on their garage

The view from the living-room

What a dream place to live!

There are a few neighbouring houses, but they are not too close.

You do however need a car to get anywhere for anything you may need.

No village shops within walking distance,

but perfect for daily walks in an idyllic setting!

We visited a church in the nearby town of Northleach

I did like the plain glass windows with a stained glass effect from the trees

and greenery outside.

I did like the decorated cushions, handmade using tapestry stitches. 

Each one in a different design.

Here is the entrance to the Gothic style church of Northleach.

Northleach is a market town in the valley of the River Leach

also in Gloucestershire.

Hollyhocks and Cotswold stonework

is what I love the most when I go to England.

If you would like to see more of Hollyhocks and Honey Coloured Houses,

you can read about a former visit by clicking on the title above.

Next time, I'll take you to London, for that was the second part of my holiday!

I hope that you are having a beautiful summer!