ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 28TH OF 2026

 Morning all, forgive my tardiness time to clock the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days time for it's time for a very tardy

So last Friday we headed off on a week's break (hence my tardiness) to stay in a place near Bidford-on-Avon, it is a holiday let we have been to before and after packing early Friday morning (yes we packed on the day we left, so I'm grateful we didn't forget anything) we were on our way. 

The first grateful is having a clear journey down using our old route.  The last time we were down in the Warwickshire area the HS2 was causing all sorts of problems for us on our normal route via the Fosse Way so we weren't sure what magical mystery tour we were going to be on.  Thankfully the normal route was good and we had a clear run. 

We arrived in the area too early so we went and did our food shop which meant once we'd landed we could relax safe and sound for the rest of the day.  The lovely chap on the till that served us was really welcoming and asked what we were up to, so we explained we were down in the area for a week.  He had me laughing around these 'tomatoes grown on the vine' that they were advertising as he said he'd never seen a tomato grown another way which had us giggling.  Then there was a comment about some sausage rolls we bought and he had me and hubby giggling about them being creatures in their own right running around a field.  He was also an avid Shakespeare fan so it was good to have a natter with him about all things Shakespeare, he had been lucky enough to see the Kenneth Branagh version of The Tempest recently which was a sold out run, which we unfortunately didn't get to see. 

One of the joys of the holiday let was a hot tub and also an addition of some sunbeds, which given the weather was welcomed (well at least for the first few days).  As you can see from me being all wrapped up this was before the heatwave.

we had a lovely time in the evenings, enjoying the sun/shade, book reading and crochet.  

I thoroughly enjoyed this book which I managed to get second hand, it is just snippets of quotes and drawings and is a very quick read but is fun nonetheless. 

Our first venture out on the Saturday was originally to Compton Verney but they had a Food Festival on and there was no way to enjoy the gallery without paying the entrance fee.  So we tootled down the round to Charlecote Park instead, somewhere we've visited once before so I was on the look out for different things, I wasn't disappointed. 

This is the gatehouse on the way in, very reminiscent of Doddington Hall

Inside was a huge inlaid table and on it I found this cute cricket

and this cute snail, I don't think I've ever seen such creatures on such an ornate table before. 

Then I found this curious carved figure

we enjoyed the gorgeous ceiling, I genuinely don't know how they made them so detailed and intricate and in such good condition

This was on a large piece of furniture called a buffet.  The craftsman spent 5 years adorning it with carvings to present to Queen Victoria who whilst admiring this gift from the people of Warwickshire declined the item leaving the poor craftsman on the brink of ruin.  Thankfully the people at Compton Verney purchased the buffet and he spent many years assisting them in projects for the house. 

The carving of the goat was interesting, but then the volunteer guide pointed out the cute feet just below, which had us reaching for the camera. 

Another stunning ceiling and bright walls

We spotted this curious creature on a bedstead upstairs, but the volunteer indicated she'd never noticed it, I mean how could you not notice it and more to the point, what is it. 

We then had a wander around the outbuildings, hubby was highly amused with the size of the tap in the brewery. 

The house is right next to the river, so some gorgeous views, although I can imagine during inclement weather the closeness of the river is a worry. 

This is the main entrance to the house and we could clearly see different stages of building due to changes in style and brickwork. 

There were formal gardens planted out overlooking the river. 

So  a very successful first day. 

On the Sunday we discovered the Food Festival tickets included access to the gallery and park and weren't much different in price.  So we headed to Compton Verney again. 

These were the sculptures in between the pillars on the way in

Inside we wandered the galleries, this was just inside the entrance (and I do love a good piece of art textile as you know). 

I found another inlaid furniture piece with this curious character we thought it was Mother of Pearl, but I'm sure I've read somewhere that stated it was abalone. 

I also spotted this dog. 

Then we went upstairs as there was an exhibition on, but to get to it you had to walk through the items from Chinese heritage and I was off finding quirky again. 

I loved this, it didn't look anywhere near as old as it was. 

and this curious item

which had the cutest face on the spout

I mean look at him. 

Then we went into the main exhibition, I loved these face characters, on long sticks. 

and this giant piece of textile art, definitely my type of thing. 

On the top floor there is British folk art including this Mark Hearld original.

There had been an artist work with some school children to create a character to communicate with in a post technology world. The characters were given traits and characteristics and then created on woodcuts on  a staff and displayed. 

I loved the concept and the final pieces, most based on an animal. 

This one was Porkius Pigus 

this made us think of Bottom from a Midsummer Night's Dream

it was a fantastic day which we both really enjoyed including wandering the Food Festival stalls albeit that we were glad that that wasn't the main reason we were visiting as it was a huge festival.  We also had a wander around the park.

This is an outdoor water sculpture, however the colour of the water left a lot to be desired if truth be told.   

We had to take a photo of this tree it was huge and such a gorgeous specimen. 

Another sculpture no idea why it appears to be dragging two giant nuts. 

The park gave a look of the American prairies with its drought ridden grass, there was another flag 'sculpture' in the distance, but we didn't feel the need to get up close and personal given the hot day. 

As you can see we were somewhat warm. 

And then the ice house which was very cute and surprisingly cool inside. 

And then this bronze sculpture in the park which absolutely shone. 

And that my lovely people will have to do you, because the following days visit was the Cotswold Sculpture Park and there was so many statues to enjoy and I don't want to not share some of them with you, so I'm going to split this post and tell you about the rest of the week next week. 

I hope you have coped in the heatwave and enjoying the now slightly cooler temperatures. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY 39TH OF 2023

 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

this one raised a smile

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.

The house itself similar to many other country houses but filled to the brim with some amazing artwork. Initially we weren't sure if we'd engage in the artwork, but there were a few that drew us in and got us talking.  

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

I found these sculptures somewhat strange, they said they represented the 4 continents, Europe, Asia, Africa and America.

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 then managed to get to the chapel although the sky was looking somewhat threatening.

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 house itself has a distinct Indiant feel to it, being influenced by a prior owner who had spent a huge amount of time in India. They simply put a 'skin' on the outside of an existing home

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.