Monthly Archives: September 2012

Going Up?

29 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in England, Travel, Uncategorized

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One of the joys of travelling in Great Britain is the unique individuality of accommodations.  And with this comes those narrow steep stairs that seem to be standard in the more historic Inns. I know I have moaned before about the lack of elevators, and the necessity of dragging luggage up narrow staircases.

A narrow, steep staircase in Broadway in the Cotswolds. No elevators at all! Photo by me.

But as much as I grow weary of them, I must admit after a short time traveling in cookie cutter hotels with large modern elevators in the U.S., I almost miss the charm of those staircases.

This staircase might make you cry if it wasn’t so beautiful…the club where I stayed in London. Photo by me

The staircases take on a personality all their own, and as much as I dread them, it wouldn’t be an England without that challenge.

Even outside the yacht club in Burnham-on-Crouch in England, the steps can be treacherous but lovely. Photo by me

Where Kate Met Wills

19 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by in Scotland, The Royal Family, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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We went to St. Andrews for a sunny afternoon visit on our way out of Scotland last summer and it truly is a lovely university town.  It was jam-packed with students on a warm day (by Scottish standards), and we wandered up and down the streets looking for a spot for lunch.

The students were all out enjoying the sunshine. Photo by me.

I couldn’t help but think of the well-publicised relationship between Catherine, a “commoner” and William, the future King of Great Britain, starting in this very typical collegiate environment.  It seemed the natural place for it all to have begun. Seeing shots of their Asian Diamond Jubilee Tour this past week (they’re on their way home now), it’s hard to believe it all started as a college romance.

St. Andrews in Scotland — home to past and future kings. Photo by me

As My Beloved Brit and I turned a corner looking for a spot to have a sandwich, I noticed the sign in a window across the street, “Where Kate Met Wills…for coffee”, and thought the ghosts of romance past will linger on in this town for decades. I’m sure they look with fond memories at the town that allowed them some level of privacy as they got to know each other.

The coffee shop in St. Andrews where Kate and Wills hung out…so they say. Photo by me.

The Flower Box

10 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by in Burnham-on-Crouch, Cornwall, England, Gardens, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Everywhere we went in Great Britain on our travels there was a great profusion of flower boxes.

A perfect window dressing. Photo by me

From the simplest to the most elaborate they were everywhere.

A creative flower display in Fowey, Cornwall, England on the southwest coast. Photo by me

The English love their gardens and if they don’t have a bit of land to plant in they will create a plot to hang on a wall, …

Like a special hat over the doorway, these bright red geraniums decorate a building in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. Photo by me

…grace a pub in London,

Happy hour on a Friday afternoon made happier by the flowers over head. Photo by me

or swing from a doorway.

A flower basket at the front door. Photo by me

I think they get their inspiration from the rock walls nearby.  With all the rain, flowers grow anywhere. It really is special to see.

Flowers on the cliff walls. Photo by me

 

 

An Old Favorite — Broadway

07 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by in England, Travel

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We try to come to England every few years, and when we do we love to discover new hidden gems that we haven’t seen before.  But there are still old favorites that warrant a revisit. I love going back again and again.

Broadway in the Cotswolds, a couple of hours outside of London. Photo by me

One of these special places is Broadway in the Cotswolds.

I think this was the first village I ever visited on my own outside of London many years ago, and I have been a couple of times since with My Beloved Brit.  But the weather was so perfect this past spring when we were in the area that we decided it was time to revisit.  It did not disappoint.

The yellow stone is so distinctive to this area, and the entire high street is lined with them. photo by me

We were lucky enough to get a room for a night at our favorite hotel, The Broadway, an old half-timbered stone property from the 16th century that has retained its historic style.

The half-timbered Broadway Hotel. The perfect country retreat. photo by me.

And for this visit, we saw that they had done a complete refurbishment that was stunning.  They managed to bring a contemporary design twist to the interior without losing the sense of tradition in the hotel at the center of the town green.

The pub in the hotel picks up the country theme with modern design twists. photo by me

We loved it, and decided to stick around and dine in the pub after a walk through town to renew our old acquaintance.

The High Street in Broadway from the green. photo by me.

A very special place.  I am sure we’ll return.

 

 

 

Topiary

04 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by in England, Gardens, Travel, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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There was a great excitement at the Chelsea Flower Show in London this past May about the use of topiary in landscaping. A classic element of gardening had made a stunning reappearance at the show, and it made me aware how much the feature is used in British gardens.

As we drove around we did notice the most amazing shrubbery…

A long shaped hedge at Penshurst Place. Photo By me.

…clipped and trained in the most wonderful, fanciful shapes.

Outside a castle in Scotland. Photo by me

I can’t image the amount of time and care that goes in to creating and keeping these lovely sculptures alive and in trim.

Topiary in Scotland. Photo by me.

But the effort is greatly appreciated…even the most simple.

Simple topiary at Sandringham at the gates to the old stables. Photo by me

I have started looking for them, and comparing their beautiful shapes. It’s great to know they can survive even in these modern times when something that might take years to accomplish seems less popular. With topiary, patience is definitely a virtue

A whimsical bush in Broadway, The Cotswolds. Photo by me

I love the artistic, sculptural quality of them.

I love how this mimics the stone. Photo by me

And the surprise of seeing these fabulous shapes when you least expect them. The English love their gardens and are willing to spend hours on achieving great beauty. And we love discovering them.

Clipped foliage borders the lawn at Houghton Hall. Photo by me.

End of Summer

01 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in Burnham-on-Crouch, England, Sailing, Uncategorized, United Kingdom

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Seems like summer has flown by, and now it’s coming to an end.  Burnham Week is ending in England, Labor Day is Monday, the kids have gone back to school, I am back in the studio working and hurricane news floods the forecasts.

The park near the marina in Burnham-on-Crouch on a sunny summer day. Photo by me.

We are already talking about next summer in England, but in a few months, the boats will have to be put up for the winter, and the sailors will have to be content to sit at the pub and tell tales of last summer’s races. I think that has already begun.

Boats in Burnham. Photo by me.