Our weekend away was a garden break package which allowed free entrance to Abbey House Gardens and Westonbirt Arboretum. We awoke to find that there had been another downpour overnight which led to the morning air being rather chilly. When we had finished breakfast the sky brightened up so we went for a walk around Malmesbury before visiting Abbey House Gardens. The gardens were glorious after the recent rainfall which had brought out the vibrant colours of the leaves and flowers.

Whilst I was taking photographs near to the river which flows through the garden a gentleman started up a conversation with me…

Him: Do you think you have managed to get some good photographs?

Me: I think I might have.

Him: I bet they will be put on your computer never to be seen again!

Me: I will probably put them on the internet so everyone can see them.

Him: (after a slight stunned pause) That is very grown up of you.

He then disappeared chatting to his companions.

Following the lovely walk around Abbey House Gardens the plan was to go to Westonbirt Arboretum.  On arrival it was time for a spot of lunch sitting outside in the sunshine looking at the unusual living roof garden that covers the top of the main cafe.

After lunch there was a short walk to the old aboretum which is the longer of the two walks.  The sky suddenly turned a lot darker and I heard a loud rumbling noise.  I was beginning to think it was time for a change of plan because there are lots of exposed places with no shelter on the walk.

Me (to Mr C): That sounds like thunder

Reply: Yes

Me: And we are going into the middle of a forest when there is going to be a storm???

No Reply: (carrying on walking)

Me: Can you just stop for a minute please!

No Reply: (but stopped walking)

Me: I don’t really want to go any further if it is going to rain because I don’t want to get soaked.

Reply: It isn’t going to rain I can’t feel rain in the air.

Famous last words (or rather, wishful thinking), 10 seconds later the first drops of rain fell and there was a hasty retreat back to the covered shop and cafe area, where we lingered for some time.

Eventually we decided to  give up the idea of visiting the arboretum and just as we drove outside the gates the sun came out! It was the point of no return so we made our way back to Malmesbury and visited the Abbey, which now functions as the Parish Church. Whilst we were in the abbey, youngsters were practicing singing for a service which was in celebration of they youth pastor who was leaving for pastures new. It was all very joyful and uplifting.

For dinner we tried out the hotel Bistro where we found the food to be delicious. After dinner we retired to the small hotel bar area which consisted of two two-seater settees and a few bar stools. Instead of sitting on the same settee as me Mr C decided to sit (next to me) on the other settee. After a while we were joined by another guest who chose to sit by me and as he sat down Mr C wandered off.

I got chatting to the other guest who was touring the area on his own. We discussed what we had been doing that day and it transpired that we had both visited the abbey. He produced a book on cathedrals that he had bought from the abbey shop and gave it to me to look at. By the time Mr C returned we were deep in conversation and Mr C was a bit left behind.

7th June 2009