Purple Phase

Clematis the size of saucers and bumble bees busy in the Chives and Azalea.

FoD Bike Trails

Tim and I set off to 'do' the forest trails we have never quite got around to. We liked the 'blue' route best, with it's switch-backs, rolling bumps and bends. After lunch we tried the "difficult" red route, which was uneventful except for our customary puncture stop. Nice ice cream too - thanks Tim!

Food Fest

We tasted our way around the Food and Drink Festival, mostly overdosing on cheese, accompanied by preserves and fine wines. We bumped into lots of like-minded friends before stretching out to listen to the band. 

Eastern Cotswolds

Starting at Eastleach Martin, we meandered East on our bikes to Filkins and then on to Kencott. As we  neared Brize Norton, large transporter planes came in over our heads. We lunched at the end of the runway (and saw nothing else). North to the beautiful village of Shilton, complete with pretty ford, we arrived on 'open gardens' day. Back up the hill, we carried on Westwards now, stopping to watch hay cutting in a field where most of the local birds of prey had arrived to enjoy the final starburst of small furry creatures marooned in the remaining long grass. 

We returned via Lechlade where the food festival gave up "extra virgin cold pressed smoked rape seed oil" (yummy), cinnamon jam and blackberry and port jelly.  

Herefordshire Heaven

With river flow at a pleasant trot, blue skies and a cool breeze pushing us along, it was the perfect day to introduce Jon to the pleasures of paddling standing up. We stopped for first lunch early before hunting out our favourite standing waves and getting a few capsizes under our belts. Hannah performed 'safety boat' duties for the fleet. 

The scenery was beautiful, with fields of buttercups running down to the river, new leaves on the trees and swirls of aquatic plants and fishes passing below. Film. Even the drive home was pleasant. 

Italian with Jamie

Going Walkabout

After dinner at the Tavern and a good sleep, we headed to Stroud farmer's market to stock up on provisions with provenance. Phil and Eleanor got stuck into trying everything before you buy and chatting to locals on a range of agricultural and world issues. We had a tasty cheese and fresh bread lunch on Rodborough Common, overlooking the Severn Vale. In the afternoon we met up with Claire (everyone else was at Sophie's wedding) for high tea at Montpellier Chapter.

Next day, with the late Spring, the bluebell woods at Soudley had saved their best for our antipodean visitors. After a banquet in a clearing, we managed a stroll under the Beech canopy admiring one of nature's awesome displays: a blue carpet resplendent in dappled June sunshine.