Friday 1 August 2014

Our annual escape 2014 ....

While the next holiday is almost around the corner I realised that I didn't even share my pictures of our last trip to England with you.

This blog has become multifunctional by now, the last time almost like a diary and I fear it will look like a photo book this time.
So in advance my apology for the upcoming photo bombing but I'm in the habit to get carried away a bit when it comes to my love for England.

In my previous (short) post which you can read here I already shared our lovely cottage where we stayed in the beautiful Cotswolds and promised you more of our surroundings, so here it is.


The drive itself was already such a pleasure with all the breathtaking views ....




The first village we payed a visit to was the small market town Chipping Campden , with its beautiful elegant terraced High Street with all sorts of lovely shops and its features ....






Another beautiful but also very touristic village is Bourton-on-the-Water also called "Venice of the Cotswolds". We bought some souvenirs in one of the many shops in this village and again we experienced the friendly attitude towards tourists. The owner was very interested in where we came from and we had such a lovely conversation.
Lovely village, lovely people ....




We were so very lucky with the weather , just a day or two we had some rain. One of them was the day we walked on the Malvern Hills an area of outstanding beauty. And this was the pleasant surprise on our way to the hills , bluebells as far as the eye could reach ....




When we reached the top of the hill, the rain stopped but nevertheless high humidity gave it an almost mystical appearance ....




And this was our private-just the two of us view on that magnificent hills ....




But even near our cottage we could enjoy nature in all its beauty, especially in Spring .....



















And lovely houses covered with wisteria, like this one in Broadway ....




Next stop was the enchanting village Bibury. A village I had often seen on photos, but seeing and shooting it with my own eyes is another thing ....






Definitely my dream cottage ....




And now so in love with this colour ....







And as icing on the cake , we also found (on Mother's day, and the first one without my boys) these cuties ....




After a wonderful week in the Cotswolds we were heading to Sussex, enjoying the beautiful English countryside on our way ....




Our next stay turned out to be another great cottage where this was our view from the living room ....




And this our view from the kitchen window, again bluebells ....




Being near to the Queen Elizabeth Country Park there was a lot of wildlife to watch directly from the window, for example this chaffinch ....




High on my wish list was a visit to the South Downs and then especially Blackdown and so we did ....




While walking we saw lots of flowers including the beautiful forget me not ...




I had seen this bench many times on Instagram and always admired the peaceful surroundings and view , so you can imagine how very pleased I was to have really found this lovely spot ....




On our last day we drove towards the coast to visit the small seaside town and port Shoreham-by-Sea where ocean blue seemed to perform everywhere we looked.
Starting with the church bell , and you won't believe it but on our way to the town there was still heavy rain. But this was how the town welcomed us, just look at that sky ....




Lovely (blue) coloured houses ....




And this "blue wall" ....




Beautiful skies ....




And at the end of our walk the sea ....




I've said it before, but I really left my heart in this beautiful country and can't wait to return.
If it's only to this sunset ....




But I'm not complaining because our next trip will be to the Provence.
Hope to see you here again in a few weeks, or should I say .... à bientôt!

Anita
~xo~  

8 comments:

  1. Yes you did catch such good weather!
    I've been there but gosh those Malvern Hills filled with bluebells is beautiful, seems like out of a romantic period movie!
    The English Charm at it's full power! And those English cottage oh!
    ***

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    1. Hi Ana, you say it so well because that is just how I experienced it .... English charm at it's full power! Anita x

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  2. Photo bomb away! Can I live next door to you at your dream cottage? Oh my such beauty. The English countryside/seaside is the place I want to go the most...really wish I could live there. But I fear flying.

    Have a wonderful holiday!!!!

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    1. Hi Kerrie, well I'm in good company then because I also have a fear for flying after a bad experience many years ago. But fortunately there is still plenty to see without getting on a plane! Anita xo

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  3. Hello Anita. Lovely to meet you and thank you for showing me my country so beautifully photographed! We are heading the other way for our holidays at the moment, but usually have one holiday in the UK too if possible. The Cotswolds are stunning the I know all the places you have visited and Sussex is lovely too. If you ever have the chance, visit the Weald of Kent - some amazing gardens and pretty villages (or perhaps you already have).

    Enjoy Provence!

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    1. Hi Marianne, thank you so much for becoming my latest follower and your nice comment. It isn't that difficult to show your country as you described because it is a natural beauty in many ways. I haven't visit the Weald of Kent yet but by the sound of it I really should, maybe next year!
      By looking at the pictures on your blog Stockholm is also worth a visit. You made me smile by your "makeover" post because men-they are all the same when it comes to decorating. We're home again after a lovely break in the Provence and back to work again. Hope you still got some holiday time left, enjoy Anita x

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  4. Hi Anita,
    I found you on IG and had to leave a comment here! :) Nice to meet you!
    I live in the Cotswolds, and you're quite right! England is glorious...
    On my blog, you'll find a special page you may like to visit- on the top navigation bar, look for "Blog" and "From my English Country Diary". Enjoy!!
    Monica

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  5. Sorry Anita, you have to visit my new blog, "My Web page" following the link here, or you won't find it! :)

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