A Day in The Life of St Ives

The day began with croissants. Clear and simple. We had worked out where to buy these lovely and yummy breakfast treats, and I was voted most likely to walk out in the early morning; which I did with great anticipation.

These delicious bits of bread came out of the oven just as I walked into the store. It was all I could do to keep from opening my mouth right then and there, and popping one straight on in.

But I restrained myself. And had a lovely breakfast, after which I went to church and loved the C of E  sung Eucharist. I would like to share the details in a blog coming your way soon.

After church, the five of us took a picnic and strode off on an 8 mile hike, over and around the cliffs near St Ives. Easy, it was not! But fun, and stimulating, and filled with fellowship? Yes, it was!

Rosie and I are plotting to find our perfect Cornish cream tea. There has been no time, since we arrived here. I'm sorry to be so lame as to not find cream teas for you to enjoy reading about! But I haven't given up, oh no.

I hope to see you along the way!
the SconeLady

A Farm in Sommerset

Blackmore Farm, Cannington. If you can get to Sommerset, you must experience this. Please see the photos below of the farm, the great Hall, and of the room I stayed the night in, the one with all the beams. We didn't want to leave!

But leave we must, and 10a.m. found us once again on the motorway, rocketing south. All at once, watching the countryside speed past, I was kind of nostalgic for the fields, paddocks, stiles and 'kissing' gates of the walking tour. Nothing compares with strolling right next to sweet white sheep in double green fields, looking all pastoral. So now the ideas are beginning to flow for a wonderful walking holiday, perhaps this time in the Peak District... hmm..

                                                                                   

Will let you know about a Cornish cream tea tomorrow.

See you along the way!

St Ives, Here We Come!

I was sorry to leave the Cotswolds this morning, but am enamored with our new digs in Somerset for tonight. I can't begin to tell you how lovely it is here, all in a different way from the buttery allure of Cotswold stone and thatch. And tomorrow it's St Ives, and the liberty to seek out the perfect Cornish cream tea!

We stay tonight in a B&B that looks more like a castle. In fact I think it is a manor house, but castle-ish, with full suits of armor, a table that sits 24 in the great Hall, and oak beams. Beams simply everywhere, even in the bathroom. My room is actually two rooms, one on the second floor, and another on the third floor. I can explain this. The bedroom is the first room, and it has a toilet and sink room (remember: BEAMS). Then you go up a flight of stairs to find a living/sitting room, with a bathtub (and more beams!). We need more time here to thoroughly enjoy all of this superiority! However, we shall indeed leave it, and head for a most delicious place, about which I will tell you, my dear and faithful readers.

But I want you to know that we did have scones today, in another castle (names will be provided tomorrow), which we feel could have been better. Perhaps, a 6! But the dearest man served us, and we ate right next to a resplendent suit of armor, and the sun came out and bathed the massive room in splendor. Sweet fellowship!

oh! it is time to go. Much love, and..
I hope to see you along the way!

the SconeLady

Here's to Rain, Scones, and New Friends!

I didn't realize cows could be so pretty. But apperantly they can. It was just beginning to sprinkle on my head when I rounded a bend in the path, finding myself face-to-face with these gorgeous creatures:

And I couldn't go around; there was nowhere else to go but through that gate. Which I finally did, after much hesitation. A walking tour is not for the faint-hearted.

What with all the rain (became a downpour) and wind (umbrella inside out) and steep hills (words cannot describe), there was nothing for it but to find the nearest pub.

The pub was posh; it's patrons were well dressed, spoke graciously, and the ambiance was decidedly upscale; into this subdued atmosphere stumbled this - this drowned rat! Heads turned. Subdued chatter paused. I asked the nearby waiter for a pot of tea.

After a pause, a trio of patrons asked where I was walking to, and immediately said, 'We will give you a ride.' It was a statement, not a question. To shorten this story, I want you to know that these 3 people are now my friends. They want to visit us in the States; they invited us to visit them here on our next trip. The day was saved. When they dropped me off, we waved like old friends. Like my daughter says, the funnest part of traveling Europe is the wonderful people you meet!

AND for my scone-loving friends, I had one today - a really really good one, in the village of Chipping Campden. Another 10! Warmed, tea in porcelain, jam, cream, butter! They do a fabulous cream tea there at Badger's Hall. See the deliciousness, below:

Must dash - but I hope to see you along the way!

the SconeLady

Walking Tour day three - Cotswolds

I have found a wifi hotspot, and will hope to sit here long enough to favor you with a decent post.

As you know, today is Day Three of a walking tour in the Cotswolds of England. Day Two began at breakfast in a sweet B&B, before I headed out on a 13 mile trek. In the breakfast room I was surprised to meet someone who had been stationed in the UK at the same time we had, 22 years ago! It was exciting to catch up with her, and the whole conversation was immensely satisfying. She is now an author and is currently doing research for it a new book.

Later in the day, as I was walking across a lovely horse training facility, I felt a nose nudging my leg, and looked down at a young doggie, peering inquiringly up into my face.  She apparently desired to accompany me for a while, and I was happy to have her there. We walked companionably together, and every once in a while I would venture a 'Go home'. Although she lowered her head guiltily, she did not feel guilty enough to actually go home for a good long time.

You will see a picture of her, below.

I am being (very politely) shooed out, having overstayed my welcome in the deli here. No time to edit! so I must sign off. The third and final walking tour day awaits.

See you along the way!

Sandwich in a Paddock (day two in the Cotswolds)

I am sorry that my wifi is going in and out, but I will keep trying and will get a blog post out as soon as I can!

The day was lovely, and invigorating, and I met 3 very special people/friends along the way. Can't wait to tell you about it!

Have you ever been to the Cotswolds? What was your experience like?

See you along the way!
the SconeLady

'The Way is Clearly Signposted. You Can't Miss It...'

Paddock: Noun A small field or enclosure where horses are kept or exercised.

May I amend this just a bit? COWS. A paddock contains lots and lots of cows. I know this because I walked through paddocks today. A few dozen, at least.

It was part of a Cotswold walking tour, and it was fabulous. However, it was meant to be 15 miles, which turned into nearly 19 due to trying to follow a large paper map, compare it with a GPS (iPhone and iPad), while alternately reading a sheaf of detailed directions. In the rain.

Briefly let me just say that I did spend time lost. It wasn't lost like being lost on a motorway, or feeling stalked in a dark alleyway. There was no one there who wanted to stalk me. Except, perhaps the cows. And did I mention the bull?

The folks on the same trail with me were great. We all helped confuse ourselves and each other numerous times. It was a laugh a minute, but my feet hurt.

I need to clarify that this was a truly remarkably sweet day, all told. Beauty abundant, friendly faces smiling with an accent, pheasants dotting the landscape. And I get to do it again tomorrow!

See you along the way!
the SconeLady