Morning all tis Friday time for
Well after what seems to have been a very long run of no holidays we ventured off last Friday for Warwickshire, staying just outside of Stratford upon Avon in a village called Barton. We'd booked predominantly because we had theatre tickets mid-week, but the area has a wealth of things still to offer even though we've technically been here quite a lot in recent years.
The journey down was OK, we never do the motorway and the worst part of the journey is hacking our way around the edge of Leicester but hubby appears to have got his head around it so we managed fine on the junction with what feels like a million lanes.
We stayed in a lovely romantic retreat just the two of us and were met by the owner and some of her chickens when we arrived. Thankfully we'd been sensible enough to do the food shop before we got to our venue, so we didn't need to head out again which was great.
Our first full day being Saturday and the sun was shining so we headed off to our first 'must do' place of Cotswold Sculpture Park. It is privately owned and only open from April through to the end of September, so missed out last year. It was about an hour's drive from where we are, but it was definitely worth it.
Me and hubby spent a number of hours browsing the sculptures, the trail much longer than we had expected. All of the sculptures are for sale so people do come and buy them, but we are simply just browsers of art rather than buyers.
Here are a few of our favourites.
Blogger is misbehaving so it has them in the wrong order, but these metal dragonflies were created by the owner and are dotted around the park, made of parts of engine, it did make us wonder if he owned a scrapyard at some point.
I loved this piece, the brightness isn't really visible on this photo, but it really was beautiful
an Ed Elliott piece
Hubby photographing the trembling vole (note the flying owl behind him)
I loved the level of detail on these bearing in mind they were only about 10 inches tall, this one called 'putting the world to rights' and made of frost proof earthenware
This goat with his traffic cone on his back was known as 'party animal'
and we met Myrtle the Turtle originally created to raise awareness of plastics in the ocean, made from old tyres.
another stunning piece and as you can see we had some sunshine
and this one has to be one of my favourites 'hareoplane' - zoom for a closer look
and this iconic piece at the entrance to the trail
we enjoyed a cuppa and a rock bun before heading back to enjoy an hour in the hot tub, this is definitely the life.
Sunday and we ventured to Upton Hall and Gardens, a freebie with our National Trust membership. Only 30 minutes from our abode, we grabbed a timed ticket in readiness and headed for the cafe for a cuppa before our venture around.
We particularly liked the oil painting on copper sheet, weirdly I didn't know that was such a thing, apparently it allows for more detailed painting which we could see from the finished article.
Afterwards we walked the terraced gardens which with the word terraced meant walking down which meant a hike back up. We went down to the mirror pond but with the over abundance of vegetation it had a more swamp like feel if truth be told. Overall though a lovely jaunt to a lovely home.
Monday and we were treated to a blue skies day and some white cloud, we decided to head to Batsford Aboretum, not top of my list if I'm honest, but many places close on Mondays at this time of year and I didn't really fancy walking around another National Trust home.
Strangely enough though we had a lovely day, whilst it too was fairly steep in places, the oversized map leant us to finding all the items on the same. Ranging from the hermits cave at the top of the Arboretum, technically out of fashion when it was created I genuinely can't imagine someone paying somebody to be a hermit
We grabbed a selfie on our travels
and admired the buddha statue
We had a lovely lunch in the restaurant before heading back and completing the trail.
As we were only a few mile away we decided to head over to Rollright Stones. A stone circle near a burial ground and other ancient monument it isn't our first jaunt there but it is some years since our last visit.
Legend has it if you can count the stones accurately 3 times your wish will be granted, I counted them 3 times, the first time there were 61, then 59 and then 60 - no wishes for me today.
The burial chamber is a little way off but a stable path down to the site makes it easy to reach. There appeared to be a lot of items left on this which we didn't see last time ranging from crystals to coins.
Then we headed back along the path and over the road to see the King's stone
Tuesday and we fancied something different (again) and this time headed to Compton Verney now deemed an art gallery it is still based inside a stunning home.
We admired the ceilings in the play room for the kids
The Sphinx like creatures on the bridge designed by Capability Brown or as we always refer to him Bloody Stupid Johnson which only Terry Pratchett fans will appreciate.
I believe it to be the first thatched ice house that we have found on our travels
and the adornment on the front of the pillars reminding us of home and Wentworth Woodhouse, this being part of an intriguing National Lottery Heritage funded project
We headed inside and wandered the art gallery on the ground floor, full of Italian paintings, artefacts and sculptures
This is Africa
and this is a very angry looking America, I'm confused why so angry other than the fact they've depicted her with her boobs showing - I mean the mind boggles.
We also found this very strange picture, which from a distance I thought reminded me of a Dali but wrong nationality apart from wrong century, it was only on closer inspection we saw elements of what is technically pergatory although it was described as the edges of hell, where some were redeemed according to the story it was depicting.
We then went and grabbed a cuppa before continuing on, the primary reason for visiting Compton Verney was the promise of an exhibition by Quentin Blake, it did not disappoint and we were actively encouraged to take photos which was an absolute joy here are a select few
This one from a book about a family attempting to teach birds how to fly as they were taking over their home
This one done as a series for a hospital for children when the Doctors and nurses are shown as dragons
This one raising the plight of migrants crossing dangerous seas
and a magical beast
Another hospital painting showing the kids what they will be able to do when they get better
Back to the birds again learning to fly
and another nurse shot
It really was a joy to behold
We then headed to the American birds exhibition which didn't really float our boat and the illustrator and artist has been identified recently as a slave owner so there is a degree of distancing people are doing from his work.
The final two floors were around British folk art, the design of the display had been assisted by Mark Hearld one of my favourite artists unfortunately there was little in the way of his work to be seen but we enjoyed the display nonetheless
This was the main artwork created by him
and I enjoyed the room that had been covered in a wallpaper designed by him
We then headed back to the cafe for more tea in fabulous little tea pots and cake to share, one a sticky ginger cake and the other an orange jaffa cake, both were light as a feather and very rich and went down a treat.
We headed to the gift shop on our way out and hubby found a book on soldering which pleased him no end and he bought me the gift books so I can find out a little more about the place.
We managed a quick dash across the lawn and over the bridge back to the car in the nick of time
Wednesday and a decidedly slow start for us book reading, catching up on our tablets and a chill in the hot tub before heading into Stratford-upon-Avon. We had a mooch for a bit before heading to the RSC in time for a tour of the theatre at 3.30pm. We had a brilliant hour with Bob the tour guide, showing us inside both the RSC theatre as well as the Swan theatre next door. It is crazy to think that the stage is 19 metres in height when you consider that the furthest seat from the stage is only 15 metres. It is also crazy to think that under the stage there is a 7 metre space which technically goes below river level (and has been known to flood).
The Swan theatre is lovely and even more intimate to the main theatre. Then we headed over to the costuming department, looking at all the crafts created there from weaponry to hats to shoe/s and boots to clothes and jewellery absolutely stunning!
Then we had a naughty tea at Zizzis before heading to the Swan theatre to watch Merchant of Venice 1936 set in London at the height of the fascist movement it was a mesmerising watch.
Thursday and our final full day, we had booked for Sezincote one of those 'must sees' if I'm honest but the tour time was tight and we needed to be back in good time. Thankfully it all went swimmingly.
The tent room was very pretty
The bronze elephants adding to the overall feel
We ventured in the garden and enjoyed walking down the stream and along the stepping stones under the bridge
We then headed back to where we were staying, enjoyed the hot tub for the last time before getting showered and ready for an evening out at the RSC to see Macbeth
It was nice getting dressed up
and this is the stage set at the RSC
it was an unusual take on the play, it was difficult to place the time it had been set if truth be told and they played to the fractured personalities and mental health issues far more than normal and whilst hubby still remains sceptical on this version I can see the merits of this different version.
Overall a brilliant week away, just need another one now to get over the week away.
Hope you've had a grand week.
