All in a day..

On Sunday we escaped.. ran away... far from the madding crowd to the hills beyond.. far beyond my home town of Bath.
That is not to say we don't have our own fine set of hills.. Bath is famous for it's inclines and you can easily tell a true Bathonian by the size of their calf muscles, mine are no exception.. not for me the slim line elegant footware... more of the welly couture.

I digress as usual...

We headed off with a song in our hearts and the sun in our eyes to one of our favourite bolt holes.. just an hour from Bath but far enough to feel as though it were a real holiday destination.
The mellow stone of the village houses, glows like honey in the sun and the whole essence of this pretty little hamlet is of a chocolate box lid... picture postcard perfect!

We arrived in time to take full advantage of the fabulous food on offer at our chosen hostel. The inn itself is very popular and has won this year's award for Gastro Pub... so not the usual ploughman's or ham egg and chips here...
More of a goat's cheese tart with balsamic dressing ... oh so scrummy washed down with a half pint of Guinness.
Before the snoozy 'Sunday afternoon' feeling could take hold we jumped back into the car and headed for Forde Abbey which was a mere 20 minute drive... or so 'Charmiane' our garrulous guide told us... Beloved was given a sat nav gadget for Christmas which he promptly pushed to one side exclaiming that he did not need such a device due to his co-pilot (me) being the one to tell him where to go!!!
He succumbed to the lure of this clever little device and so we had a very interesting conversation with our sat nav host.. questioning her choice of roads and route.. all good fun!

We had never been to Forde Abbey before and this was somewhere I had earmarked as 'my kind of place'.... we were not disappointed. The long tree-lined entrance drive was awash with snowdrops and led up to the Abbey itself which can only be described as stunning. Mellow stone against the deep blue sky and a backdrop of trees makes this place very special indeed and a real treat.


The gardens are delightful and varied with rockery, bog garden, lakes, topiary and walled kitchen garden ...providing lots of little rooms within rooms and full of Spring bulbs and a wonderful variety of trees and shrubs.
I hope that my photos go some way to doing justice to this beautiful place...

It was mighty cold and the lakes were partly frozen much to the disgust of the swan and ducks.. Oh their poor cold feet!


I loved this iron work frame over a small palladian pond ..


Primroses..in pinks and yellows.. my favourite.
Spot the bunny!

After a brisk but thoroughly enjoyable stroll around the gardens we headed back to the Inn and I indulged in a lovely long snooze in our pretty room..
Now this is what I call an ensuite bathroom...
Supper was another gastro delight in a romantic candlit room..

We had a wonderful stay and headed back home the following morning through the most magical frosty landscape...Charmiane our Sat nav host... telling us how to find our way home..

It is amazing how much one can cram into a day... and this mini escape felt like a proper break and fully re-charged out batteries.

P.S Don't forget the giveaway tomorrow Friday eve..8.p.m Draw.. I will put all the names in a hat and pull out the winner..
I have so enjoyed your shared childhood toys.. chewed bald teddies, dollshouses, dolls... such sweet nostalgia.