Tuesday 27 April 2021

Broadway and Saintbury


We like visiting the Cotswolds, and since the Stratford Gallery has relocated to Broadwat, it's an added incentive to visit the village. Now that lockdown restrictions have been partly eased, it's good to venture beyond our town and the local walks.

We parked near the central square and started exploring




The shops were open, but I was disappointed to see that Broadway Modern, the art gallery, had closed down.




Everything in this village is so neat and tidy, and just so.




The Cotswold honey-coloured stone is what gives these villages their unique character




it positively glows













Everything is enhanced by the blossom that is everywhere




This is the local deli, which is absolutely wonderful. Don't ask about the car in the window....




They have a traffic light system for going into the shop to facilitate social distance




One of the few detached properties in the village




We couldn't decide if it was warm enough to sit somewhere for lunch so we sat here on a bench for a while to test the situation. We decided we would get too cold sitting outside for any length of time




so we walked back to the car park and made our way home to have lunch there.





A few miles out of Broadway, I commented, as I always do,  on how much I like the spire of a church we see in the distance. This time, we decided to investigate, so turned left, drove up this hill and stopped to have a look




at St Nicholas of Saintbury.




The chuch was built in the 13th century. Some aspects of it though, including the south door provide evidence of an earlier church on the site. The limestone building has stone slate roofs.







The spire above the tower can be seen for miles but the reverse is also true - the views of the Cotswold countryside surrounding the church were breathtaking









unfortunately the church was closed, but we walked around the grounds




some of the graves were very old, like the church itself.

And then, it was time to head off back home.



Saturday 24 April 2021

The Farm




We go to The Farm once a month to buy sustainable meat. But, there's lots more on sale there:  a fishmongers, lots of vegetables and fruit, a deli counter, a bakery




 and a cafe. 




This time we decided to explore the grounds. Lots of groups were having socially-distanced picnics




The outdoor seating area for the cafe, which includes a playground for the kids, was busy




The vegetable garden




the pig pen




mum




dad, plus two little ones inside




the tunnel where they grow vegetables




We then moved on to have a look at the Jersey goats





which are magnificent - look at that beard







We knew about this path that leads to Stratford so we decided to explore








good views from here as it's on a rise




an apple orchard




a field full of dandelions




through the stile and on this narrow path




with the dandelions on our right




a farmhouse in the distance




zooming in




we continued on our way




and arrived at the Stratford golf club




two paths here: we did not know which one would lead to Stratford, so we took the one on the left







lots of blossom - it's that time of year




a pond





quite a few people playing golf




The small stream




and further down, a rounded bridge




We had come to the end of this walk. We obviously should have taken the other path in order to get to Stratford. We'll know for next time. But, now it was time to head back. We passed the farmhouse again,




past the cows we had seen earlier,




and we were back at The Farm. We stopped to have a look at the chickens, and then headed for the car, and home.