Wisteria season.
Wisteria season.
0 2023/07/18 20:02:32
The couple and their families must've been well-off, as parked out front beside the Grey Ghost there were a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Maclaren. All three gift-wrapped.
The couple and their families must've been well-off, as parked out front beside the Grey Ghost there were a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Maclaren. All three gift-wrapped.
0 2023/07/18 20:38:51
We came across a wedding at the smaller of the 2 churches, the Catholic St. Catherines.
We came across a wedding at the smaller of the 2 churches, the Catholic St. Catherines.
0 2023/07/18 20:39:03
A most amusing moment occurred then, as the local 'Green Tortoise' van to Stratford was trying to make its way through the crowd and the luxury cars, the quintessential 'contrast' if ever! Posters on the Rick Steves forum took me to task for having simply recounted what we'd been told by local drivers: some of the volunteer Green Tortoise drivers are seniors whose sight is not as acute as it once was. So some locals wonder whether to pull off the road as the van approaches on dark country lanes.
A most amusing moment occurred then, as the local 'Green Tortoise' van to Stratford was trying to make its way through the crowd and the luxury cars, the quintessential 'contrast' if ever! Posters on the Rick Steves forum took me to task for having simply recounted what we'd been told by local drivers: some of the volunteer Green Tortoise drivers are seniors whose sight is not as acute as it once was. So some locals wonder whether to pull off the road as the van approaches on dark country lanes.
0 2023/07/18 20:39:13
We now switch the channel to Lower Slaughter (olde English 'mud').
We now switch the channel to Lower Slaughter (olde English 'mud').
0 2023/07/18 20:50:47
The tiny village is very photogenic. And quiet.
The tiny village is very photogenic. And quiet.
0 2023/07/18 20:52:11
A perfect place to set up one's painting easel.
A perfect place to set up one's painting easel.
0 2023/07/18 20:52:59
Or maybe re-locate it here?
Or maybe re-locate it here?
0 2023/07/18 20:54:27
'Lovely' is another tired word, but it applies here for sure.
'Lovely' is another tired word, but it applies here for sure.
0 2023/07/18 20:55:13
Onto toney Stanton in Gloucestershire. Seen here, the door arch for its Norman 12C church of St. Michael and All Angels. At the NW end of the nave, we saw bench-ends deeply ringed by the sheepdog dog-chains of yesteryear. The upper sections of the east window are thought to contain fragments of old glass, thought to be from Hailes Abbey. The Gothic pulpit is still there.
Onto toney Stanton in Gloucestershire. Seen here, the door arch for its Norman 12C church of St. Michael and All Angels. At the NW end of the nave, we saw bench-ends deeply ringed by the sheepdog dog-chains of yesteryear. The upper sections of the east window are thought to contain fragments of old glass, thought to be from Hailes Abbey. The Gothic pulpit is still there.
0 2023/07/18 20:56:18
Stanton's Old Post Inn.
Stanton's Old Post Inn.
0 2023/07/18 21:02:51
The three of us had a lovely chat. Well OK, the horse made four of us.
The three of us had a lovely chat. Well OK, the horse made four of us.
0 2023/07/18 21:04:14
Again, we witnessed some serious gardening amid the Jacobean gables and warm-coloured stones.
Again, we witnessed some serious gardening amid the Jacobean gables and warm-coloured stones.
0 2023/07/18 21:06:30
Residents took pride in the appearance of their homes.
Residents took pride in the appearance of their homes.
0 2023/07/18 21:07:03
Great colour coordination throughout.
Great colour coordination throughout.
0 2023/07/18 21:07:39
Stanway: the renown Stanway house gatehouse (note Ukrainian flag). The famed fountain was then taking a break. It only shoots twice a day. Btw, the 45 minute walk from Stanton down to Stanway is a very compelling one. The route passes by Shenberrow Hill, the Rayers Brake pasture ('more like parkland'--Rick Steves), abandoned stone huts, gnarly denuded trees, ditches, crops and hedges--archetype Cotswolds.
Stanway: the renown Stanway house gatehouse (note Ukrainian flag). The famed fountain was then taking a break. It only shoots twice a day. Btw, the 45 minute walk from Stanton down to Stanway is a very compelling one. The route passes by Shenberrow Hill, the Rayers Brake pasture ('more like parkland'--Rick Steves), abandoned stone huts, gnarly denuded trees, ditches, crops and hedges--archetype Cotswolds.
0 2023/07/18 21:08:49
Snowshill: a gate. Snowshill is another sleepy, picturesque village. We visited twice. For fewer crowds, visit its famed Manor mid-week. As we entered, its manager came racing out to intercept us. It seemed that we'd arrived too late, 55 minutes to closing. "By the time you reach our gardens, you'll have to turn back to make it out of here on time! Save your 17 quid (entry fee)!" he wheezed breathlessly. Hmm. OK. That was a first. We'd never been warned that way by staff anywhere. Ta, I guess.
Snowshill: a gate. Snowshill is another sleepy, picturesque village. We visited twice. For fewer crowds, visit its famed Manor mid-week. As we entered, its manager came racing out to intercept us. It seemed that we'd arrived too late, 55 minutes to closing. "By the time you reach our gardens, you'll have to turn back to make it out of here on time! Save your 17 quid (entry fee)!" he wheezed breathlessly. Hmm. OK. That was a first. We'd never been warned that way by staff anywhere. Ta, I guess.
0 2023/07/18 21:10:24
"WOT YOU MEAN, THEY NEVAH GAVE OLE 'GOTHLAMM' ANY MONEY FOR 'IS WOOL? BLOODY HELL!"
"WOT YOU MEAN, THEY NEVAH GAVE OLE 'GOTHLAMM' ANY MONEY FOR 'IS WOOL? BLOODY HELL!"
0 2023/07/18 21:26:27
"Gothlamm is my eldest boy and I tried to warn him, I really did: "Make sure that they pay you up front son." But he wouldn't listen. Silly boy, black sheep of the family and all."
"Gothlamm is my eldest boy and I tried to warn him, I really did: "Make sure that they pay you up front son." But he wouldn't listen. Silly boy, black sheep of the family and all."
0 2023/07/18 21:28:15
"Pfgh! My sibling Gothlamm always got all the attention. Spoiled brat he was. "Piss off! I used to tell my pesky brother. Mum and dad never listened to me when I wanted to become a punk singer. Life has never been fair."
"Pfgh! My sibling Gothlamm always got all the attention. Spoiled brat he was. "Piss off! I used to tell my pesky brother. Mum and dad never listened to me when I wanted to become a punk singer. Life has never been fair."
0 2023/07/18 21:31:10
The Olympiks. Fri. 3rd June 2022. The undisputed main event that locals waited til the final hour to see was the Shin-Kicking World Championship. Fit men pad up for this contest and really go at each other. The reigning champ regained his title, but had to take a few time-outs. At those times, he approached the referee officiating to complain about his opponent's over-the-top aggressiveness. True that.
The Olympiks. Fri. 3rd June 2022. The undisputed main event that locals waited til the final hour to see was the Shin-Kicking World Championship. Fit men pad up for this contest and really go at each other. The reigning champ regained his title, but had to take a few time-outs. At those times, he approached the referee officiating to complain about his opponent's over-the-top aggressiveness. True that.
0 2023/07/19 06:14:39
One organizer became rightly FURIOUS after careless parents allowed their children to frolic in the fields below. Nearly 100 excited kids collected there. Thing is, there were fireworks planted there. He went ballistic and who could blame him? The announcer above rightly asked the crowd watching the shin-kicking from the hill then, "Folks up there: whose little girl keeps screaming 'BLOOD!!' ? He wasn't kidding. The girl was quite animated and everyone in the large crowd heard her every shriek!
One organizer became rightly FURIOUS after careless parents allowed their children to frolic in the fields below. Nearly 100 excited kids collected there. Thing is, there were fireworks planted there. He went ballistic and who could blame him? The announcer above rightly asked the crowd watching the shin-kicking from the hill then, "Folks up there: whose little girl keeps screaming 'BLOOD!!' ? He wasn't kidding. The girl was quite animated and everyone in the large crowd heard her every shriek!
0 2023/07/19 06:20:33
Robert Dover and Endymion Porter rode up. He was the local Max Yasgur (Woodstock) 'on whose property we all are'. We reckoned the crowd to be a couple thousand strong. Mixed gender teams competed in all manner of wacky games. There were obstacle courses on slippery surfaces, spurning the bar (caber toss), backwards races, sack races, Cotswold stone put and tug o' war. The loony ski challenge had 4 folks per ski! A grinning 30ish guy in street clothes won a number of the individual events.
Robert Dover and Endymion Porter rode up. He was the local Max Yasgur (Woodstock) 'on whose property we all are'. We reckoned the crowd to be a couple thousand strong. Mixed gender teams competed in all manner of wacky games. There were obstacle courses on slippery surfaces, spurning the bar (caber toss), backwards races, sack races, Cotswold stone put and tug o' war. The loony ski challenge had 4 folks per ski! A grinning 30ish guy in street clothes won a number of the individual events.
0 2023/07/19 06:26:27
Next: the morning after--Scuttlebrook Wake.
Next: the morning after--Scuttlebrook Wake.
0 2023/07/19 06:46:55
John Beynon from the 'Generation Jones' band was one of the musicians. His bandmate Geoff Carr showed us his astonishing modern instrument, a 'zendrum'. It was composed of a wooden, zither-like device that housed various pickups, each of which activated percussion sounds played by tapping. The 'Orange River Remedy' trio from Stratford played their Humble Pie-esque set with a female drummer. The 'Wired' band also deserves mention here, with their versatile skills, good singin' and good playin'.
John Beynon from the 'Generation Jones' band was one of the musicians. His bandmate Geoff Carr showed us his astonishing modern instrument, a 'zendrum'. It was composed of a wooden, zither-like device that housed various pickups, each of which activated percussion sounds played by tapping. The 'Orange River Remedy' trio from Stratford played their Humble Pie-esque set with a female drummer. The 'Wired' band also deserves mention here, with their versatile skills, good singin' and good playin'.
0 2023/07/19 08:11:19
Good cheer was evident at the Leysbourne staging ground near the bottom of the village. This fellow drove a sturdy vintage WWII era vehicle. The creativity shown across various costumes was fantastic.
Good cheer was evident at the Leysbourne staging ground near the bottom of the village. This fellow drove a sturdy vintage WWII era vehicle. The creativity shown across various costumes was fantastic.
0 2023/07/19 08:19:07
His daughters rode in the back and one sensed a very healthy family bond throughout. The Scuttlebrook wake programme deliberately overlapped with the Queen's Platinum Jubillee.
His daughters rode in the back and one sensed a very healthy family bond throughout. The Scuttlebrook wake programme deliberately overlapped with the Queen's Platinum Jubillee.
0 2023/07/19 08:24:00
One float included depictions of the Queen throughout different stages of her life. Not pictured here was the local gal/Queen-lookalike dressed in her thick, traditional pink, plain matching clothes.
One float included depictions of the Queen throughout different stages of her life. Not pictured here was the local gal/Queen-lookalike dressed in her thick, traditional pink, plain matching clothes.
0 2023/07/19 08:24:16
Not all supported celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee. This farmer's wife reminded us of the anti-royal graffiti that we'd seen in London's Brick Lane. Her husbear was not shy about parading their private float around town.
Not all supported celebrations of the Queen's Jubilee. This farmer's wife reminded us of the anti-royal graffiti that we'd seen in London's Brick Lane. Her husbear was not shy about parading their private float around town.
0 2023/07/19 08:24:27
Up near the Littleworth part of town, this trio of judges inspected the range of costumes, both adult and child, to later award the best. Note how I'm switching back and forth from calling CC a village, then a town. Its that kind of place, an affluent yet still quite rural part of England.
Up near the Littleworth part of town, this trio of judges inspected the range of costumes, both adult and child, to later award the best. Note how I'm switching back and forth from calling CC a village, then a town. Its that kind of place, an affluent yet still quite rural part of England.
0 2023/07/19 08:32:51
The 'Royal Mobility Car', sponsored by The Village Bar in Weston Sub-Edge. License plate HRH 70. See the sign: 'ONLY CORGIS TO BE TETHERED HERE'. He had his flag-waving teen granddaughters ride with him, wearing royal masks.
The 'Royal Mobility Car', sponsored by The Village Bar in Weston Sub-Edge. License plate HRH 70. See the sign: 'ONLY CORGIS TO BE TETHERED HERE'. He had his flag-waving teen granddaughters ride with him, wearing royal masks.
0 2023/07/19 08:50:47
The famed Campden Morris dancers played a major role (see later). Our taxi driver Cookie's Ilmington-based uncle was one of the leaders of this historic dance troupe, back in the days when they were known as the Morris Men. As you will soon see below, today's troupe had one female member. Btw, this gent may have been the father of one of the younger members of the Scuttlebrook (teen) Queen-elect's procession.
The famed Campden Morris dancers played a major role (see later). Our taxi driver Cookie's Ilmington-based uncle was one of the leaders of this historic dance troupe, back in the days when they were known as the Morris Men. As you will soon see below, today's troupe had one female member. Btw, this gent may have been the father of one of the younger members of the Scuttlebrook (teen) Queen-elect's procession.
0 2023/07/19 08:54:43
One of those flowery members, all in purple and having a good time. The procession was led by a specific float. This was the one carrying the abovementioned teen Queen-elect on her throne, dragged by the Morris dancers.
One of those flowery members, all in purple and having a good time. The procession was led by a specific float. This was the one carrying the abovementioned teen Queen-elect on her throne, dragged by the Morris dancers.
0 2023/07/19 09:00:00
The Morris Dancers had a female member and that was good to see. She used the customary dancing sticks, wore the distinctive costume and was part of an animated team carrying on old traditions.
The Morris Dancers had a female member and that was good to see. She used the customary dancing sticks, wore the distinctive costume and was part of an animated team carrying on old traditions.
0 2023/07/19 09:01:28
The troupe's current leader.
The troupe's current leader.
0 2023/07/19 09:05:02
The buttons he wore all over showed the Brit sense of humour. Here, the ones attached to his hat.
The buttons he wore all over showed the Brit sense of humour. Here, the ones attached to his hat.
0 2023/07/19 09:05:27
A trio of players provided the jaunty dancing music, accordion, flute plus this violinist (fiddle?).
A trio of players provided the jaunty dancing music, accordion, flute plus this violinist (fiddle?).
0 2023/07/19 09:07:23
A mock-horse would move around the dancers, galloping with all the gaiety in the Cotswolds. At that moment, one really sensed the deep rural roots of this aged fest. Then just when we thought it couldn't get any better...
A mock-horse would move around the dancers, galloping with all the gaiety in the Cotswolds. At that moment, one really sensed the deep rural roots of this aged fest. Then just when we thought it couldn't get any better...
0 2023/07/19 09:08:55
...students from both of CC's primary schools joined round the Maypole in dance too.
...students from both of CC's primary schools joined round the Maypole in dance too.
0 2023/07/19 09:13:54
A Morris Dancer in training. Locals nudged me-the-photographer to take note of the photo op as he joyfully danced along with abandon. There was also in the parade, a similarly young boy in a stroller carriage dressed up in uniform with the label 'Grenadier Guard in Training.'
A Morris Dancer in training. Locals nudged me-the-photographer to take note of the photo op as he joyfully danced along with abandon. There was also in the parade, a similarly young boy in a stroller carriage dressed up in uniform with the label 'Grenadier Guard in Training.'
0 2023/07/19 09:17:24
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