We picked up my Mum and set off on our journey to Windsor which took rather longer than expected due to the volume of traffic on the bank holiday weekend. Whilst we were driving around Windsor struggling to find a place to park we spotted my nephew and his lady friend outside Windsor Castle and Mr C heckled them.

Once we had found a parking space and met up with them we made our way to lunch in a quaintly named cafe Madame POSH. It is a delightful patisserie and home emporium. We sat on elegant chairs amongst pottery, glasses, linen, silk flowers and other similar items. The food was good, I had chosen a waffle and by the time we had sat down and the food had arrived it was 3 o’clock and we were flagging a little because it was a long time since breakfast. We chatted over lunch and then walked along the River Thames and across the bridge into Eton to see the college.

We then returned to the car so to make our way to Ye Olde Bell where we were staying for the weekend. We detoured on the way so that we could drop my nephew off and he could show us around his flat. The flat, which he shares with others, is nice and cosy. When we checked into the hotel we found out that my Mum’s room was in a separate building even though we had been assured when we made the booking that the rooms would be in the same building. Ye Olde Bell has several buildings with accommodation and also a barn suitable for weddings and other events.

After freshening up we caught a taxi back into Windsor and met up with my nephew and his lady for dinner in The Boatman restaurant. We sat outside in an open top conservatory with large, open windows. The roof was slowly rolled shut in stages as the sun went down. It was a perfect setting for a warm summer’s evening. Before the roof was finally closed we were able to watch the aeroplanes taking off from nearby Heathrow Airport. Apart from being a nice place to dine it was a plane spotter’s paradise.

The company was delightful and the food was good although there was a bit of a challenge in finding vegan options. The waitress however was extremely helpful and gave suggestions that she then went and asked the chef to prepare.

After we had dined the taxi returned to take us back to Ye Olde Bell. Mum went to bed after the long day whilst Mr C and I had a nightcap. We had a bit of a banter with the foreign bartender, after which he proclaimed ‘I Manuel’ meaning in the style of Fawlty Towers.

Unfortunately our peace and tranquility was disturbed by Mr C’s phone ringing… Someone was unrealistically for that time of night (and distance) expecting his logistical problem to be solved immediately…

After breakfast we checked out of the hotel where we payed the release fee so that the room bear could come home with us. He was named after the room we stayed in (Henry Hanks). We then made our way to the market town, Stow-on-the-Wold where we had a quiet hour mooching around the shops.

When we had finished we continued on our journey, stopping at Hanbury Hall for lunch and the gardens. The lunch was delicious and the gardens were challenging. The recent heavy rain falls had made some of the routes impossible and some creative thinking to navigate our way around the garden.

9th June 2009

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

We set off on our journey later than we intended, partly due to the inclement weather. Along the way we spotted an ideal cafe for lunch, but the mornings downpour had turned the parking area into a field of mud! This meant we had to abandon the idea of lunch there, it also involved some off-road driving, across a field in order to get back to the main road.

We continued on our journey and ended up at the National Trust property Snowshill Manor for lunch. The cafe had a nice ambiance and the food was delicious. By the time we had finished eating it had stopped raining, allowing me to take pictures of the garden before entering the house. I found Snowshill Manor with its eclectic collections quite fascinating.

After visiting the Manor we made our way to Malmesbury and The Old Bell where we were staying for the weekend. When we entered the room we found that there was a rather unhappy looking bear in residence…

Mr C suprised me by producing a bottle of Lustau Sherry from his packing case. We enjoyed a glass whilst we got ready to dine in the hotel restaurant. The food was delicious and we had a nice relaxing evening.

6th June 2009

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.