The Cotswolds & Other Visits

Mum and I went to Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds on Monday.  It was a fab spring day although it was still cool in the shade.  We had lunch at the YHA cafe, which to be honest was a bit disappointing, but still a great day with me and my Mum.

stow on the wold cross and sundial in the market place david stowell

The weather is still holding – today is Wednesday, although the weather forecast says that it is going to change by the weekend.

I’ve been visiting friends and family during my visit as it may be many months before I come back to Leamington.  On Sunday I went with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew Harvey to Brandon Nature Reserve.  They were having an open day with events for the children.  Harvey met the Green Man who told us the difference between Blackthorn and Hawthorn (Blackthorn flowers first then has leaves while Hawthorn has leaves first then blossoms).  When the Hawthorn blossoms it is a sign, apparently, that the frosts have finished.  Below is a picture of Harvey cutting a piece of wood which he decorated then drilled a hole through to wear around his neck.

photo 1

Yesterday I visited my Dad at his care home and we went out for a walk.  Currently, he has a penchant for hats.  This one didn’t fit too well.

photo 2I’ll be having lunch with him tomorrow as my final visit before we set off on our travels.

I’ve been visiting lots of friends and family although it does feel as though we have been saying “goodbye” for nearly 12 months.  It is almost a year, 11 months in fact, since the launch party at Weir Quay.  Where did that time go?

I think I’m like a lot of people with regard to my horoscope.  If it says something positive or something I like then I believe, at least that one.  Below is my horoscope, Cancer, from Good Housekeeping magazine this month – spookily accurate.

photoA couple more days of visits then back again to Neil and Gleda.  Unfortunately, I have come down with a stinking cold so can’t visit my Aunt who has just finished chemotherapy so her immune system is low.  Oddly the last time I had a cold was when I visited Leamington in December.  Not a sniffle over the cold winter in a cold, uninsulated boat!